Baku plans bid for 2016 Olympics

The government has made its intention known to the International Olympic Committee and "we are prepared to fulfill all the conditions for this," Sports Minister Azad Rahimov told The Associated Press on Tuesday

Baku's economy has surged on oil revenues in recent years, but much of the city's infrastructure remains in deteriorated condition.

Since becoming independent following the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan has won nine Olympic medals, including three golds, at the Summer Games.

The IOC will send out bid requests next spring and select the 2016 host city in 2009.

Other cities expected to bid are Madrid, Spain; Rome; Tokyo; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The United States is considering whether to submit a bid from Chicago or Los Angeles. Prague, Czech Republic, and Doha, Qatar, are among other cities that have expressed interest. The Associated Press

/The International Herald Tribune/