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CHICAGO (AP) -- Olympic organizers know the real competition is ahead now that Chicago is officially the American bid city for the 2016 Summer Games.

But they are hopeful Chicago can triumph over other contenders, including cities in Brazil, Japan and Spain.

The U.S. Olympic Committee formally submitted Chicago as the American bidder in a letter last week to the International Olympic Committee in advance of a September 13 deadline.

It was a formality since the USOC has worked with Chicago on the details of an Olympic bid since choosing the city over Los Angeles in April to represent America in this latest push for the games.

Mayor Richard Daley said he looks forward to working with the IOC to convince them Chicago would be the best host, although he acknowledges the competition will be tough.

The IOC won't pick a host city until 2009, but it will announce a list of finalists next June.

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