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Cities Bidding For 2020 Olympics Face Possible Cut


Azerbaijan's capital Baku is one of five cities competing to host the 2020 summer Olympics.
Azerbaijan's capital Baku is one of five cities competing to host the 2020 summer Olympics.
The contest to host the 2020 summer Olympics is reaching its next hurdle on May 23, when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meets to consider whether to trim down the list of five candidates.

Istanbul in Turkey, Madrid in Spain, Tokyo in Japan, Doha in Qatar, and the Azerbaijani capital Baku are among the five finalist cities vying to stage the world's biggest sporting event eight years from now.

While Tokyo and Istanbul are seen as clear frontrunners, reports say each of the five bids are saddled with various concerns.

Reports say the IOC, at a three-day meeting in Quebec City, Canada, could decide to reduce the field from five to three, with Doha and Baku in the most danger of being eliminated.

A final decision on the host is expected next year.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AP

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