The International Olympic Committee says six cities submitted bids to host the 2020 Olympics by Thursday's midnight deadline.

There were no surprises, as all six cities representing Europe, Asia and the Middle East had previously announced their candidacies. They are Rome; Madrid; Tokyo; Istanbul; Doha, Qatar; and Baku, Azerbaijan.

All six contenders have made previous bids, and both Rome and Tokyo have previously hosted an Olympics. Madrid is bidding for a third consecutive time, while Tokyo, Doha and Baku are making their second successive attempts. This is Istanbul's fifth overall bid.

The IOC will select the host city by secret ballot on Sept. 7, 2013, in Buenos Aires.

The next step for the bidding cities is to attend an information seminar at IOC headquarters in Lausanne November 4-5.

They then must answer a questionnaire, as well as submit their application and guarantee letters to the IOC by mid-February.

The IOC's evaluation committee will inspect the bid cities and likely name four finalists by next May.

The United States, South Africa and Dubai had also considered bidding for the 2020 Olympics, but decided not to enter the race.