MOSCOW, July 6 (RIA Novosti) - Moscow will bid for the 2016 Olympics, Mayor Yury Luzhkov told the International Olympics Committee after the announcement that London would host the 2012 Olympics.
"We are not disappointed," he said. "On the contrary, we showed that Moscow is a modern and rapidly developing city that can rival the world's largest capitals and organize major international events at the highest level. We will bid for the 2016 Olympics to prove it."
Luzhkov said London would be a good venue for the 2012 Olympics. "We congratulate London from the bottom of our hearts, and we are sure the XXX Olympics in London will be unforgettable," he said.
Luzhkov also said that despite Moscow's failure to become the venue for the 2012 Olympics, it would develop sports and the city's infrastructure. "We had very strong competitors in the campaign for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, and we were proud to be among them. Now we have priceless experience, and we know how to meet the IOC's strict requirements," he said.
