Dubai has created a committee to examine the feasibility of making a formal bid to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympics Games - and the bid is all part of a greater initiative called ‘Dubai 2020,' which is a master plan for pushing the emirate onto the world stage...

The plans hinge on an enormous sports complex, Dubai Sports City, which will cover 50 million square metres and will be the most talked about new development in the emirate.

Scheduled for completion in 2011, the £2.4 billion project is aiming to make Dubai a contender to host the 2020 Olympics, as well as the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals.

Both of these huge sporting events would attract massive international interest and breathe new life into the depressed property sector.

Known as a ‘city within a city,' Dubai Sports City is to be part of the Dubailand development, which is an entertainment complex.

The Sports side of the development will house four main stadiums, including a 60,000-seat multi-purpose outdoor arena for rugby, soccer and track and field, and a 25,000-seat stadium for cricket.

As if that wasn't enough, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheik Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has also launched a bid to host the 2020 World Expo, which is a showcase for the latest innovations in science and industry that is held every five years.

Malcolm Thorpe, Spokesperson for Dubai Sports City, said, "As the world's first integrated sports city, Dubai Sports City is a committed supporter of all sport, from grassroots to elite competitions.

"Everyone at Dubai Sports City is confident that we can make a positive contribution to this exciting project, whether as a host venue for events or as a training base for the many athletes that will come to Dubai from around the world," he said.

Hosting the Olympics is about more than having a huge sporting event come to town. It also speaks volumes about the social and cultural side of the emirate.

Rome, Istanbul and Cape Town in South Africa are also hoping to win the 2020 Olympic bid.