Madrid is bidding to become Spain's candidate for the 2016 Olympics.

Mayor Alberto Ruiz Gallardon confirmed "Madrid 16",as the bid will be known,as the first city in Spain to announce its candidature for the games.

"The mayor's office has approved the candidature presentation put forth by the city to organize the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games," a statement on the Department of Education and Science, under which sport is governed, said Wednesday.

The Spanish Olympic Committee can consider bids from other Spanish cities, and will announce a canidate by May 2007.

Barcelona hosted the 1992 Olympics. Madrid bid unsuccessfully for the 2012 Olympics, finishing third in the voting behind winner London and Paris.

Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, have been approved by their national Olympic committees as 2016 bidders. The United States is also considering a bid.

The International Olympic Committee will select the 2016 host city in 2009.