Dubai looks to become first Arab city to host Olympics by considering 2020 bid

Dubai takes first steps toward Olympic bid in 2020

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — This Gulf boomtown has set its sights on becoming the first Arab city to host the Olympics with a committee meeting Monday to consider a possible bid for the 2020 games.

The city-state’s media office said Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum met with the group, urging it to devote its full efforts to the campaign.

His son, the crown prince, chaired the gathering, which included several other members of the emirate’s political elite, suggesting strong government support for a possible bid.

Dubai is not the only Gulf sheikdom that has looked to an Olympic bid to raise its profile. Two years ago, the Qatari capital Doha unsuccessfully bid for the 2016 games.