Ottawa: Madrid, Tokyo and Istanbul became the finalists in the race for hosting the 2020 Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided Wednesday.

Doha in Qatar and Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, failed to make the cut for the mega event.

The IOC will vote for the final winner September 7, 2013, in Buenos Aires, Xinhua reports.

The executive board, chaired by IOC president Jacques Rogge, chose the finalists after examining a technical evaluation report compiled by a panel of Olympic experts. The board then voted on each candidate.

Madrid is bidding for the third consecutive time, Tokyo second time in a row, and Istanbul for the fifth time overall.  (IANS)