BERLIN - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) kicked off the bid process for the 2020 summer Olympics on Monday with the winning city to be announced in 2013.

So far only Italian capital Rome, who beat off domestic competition from Venice, has officially been named but bids from South Africa, Japan and the Middle East are also seen as possible.

London is preparing to stage the 2012 Games while the 2016 summer Olympics have been awarded to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

National Olympic Committees must submit city applications by Sept 1 with the IOC announcing a shortlist in May 2012.

The winning bid will be elected during the IOC session in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Sept 7, 2013.