The team, who hand-delivered the file to Lausanne ahead of tomorrow's IOC deadline , included the managing director of the bid, Antonio Fernández Arimany and Raúl Chapado, the director of Sports and Projects, who have jointly managed the creation of the document. 

They were accompanied to Switzerland by Madrid 16 envoys, incuding Spanish Olympic medallist, long jumper Joan Lino Martínez, and Paralympic medallist, swimmer Teresa Perales, as well as two citizens of Madrid who are featured in chapter headings, representing the face of the bid and Madrid 2016’s unique "Generation 16" programme.

The file has been written in English, French and Spanish an explains in meticulous detail the scope of the Madrid bid covering 600 pages, three volumes, 17 topics, 500 guarantees and 80 images.

Since May last year over 150 people, each an expert in their own area, have been working together to produce a document which truly reflects the strengths of hosting the 2016 Games in Madrid.

Madrid claims 92 per cent of the public are in favour of hosting the Olympics, including the country's Royal Family.

They also claim there is complete financial backing from corporate sponsors and Government.

Madrid is billing itself as the "safest choice" for the IOC at this time with all infrastructure complete, 77 per cent of the sports’ venues either complete or under construction, and finances guaranteed.

The Spanish capital also claims it is an all-embracing, multi-cultural city with many years’ experience hosting international events and is passionate about hosting these Games and providing a sporting legacy for generations to come.

The book included major contributions from the Madrid City Hall, three Commissions of the Community of Madrid, seven Departments of Central Government, local governments of the partner cities as well as institutions like AENA, Renfe, Port of Valencia, National Federation of Mint and Stamp, Madrid Hotel Association (Hotelkeepers' Association of Olympian Madrid and of Guadalajara, Committees and Paralímpico Español, ONCE and CERMI).

Among the companies to have pledged backing for the bid are Accenture, Everis and Bovis.

Mercedes Coghen, the chief executive of Madrid 2016, said: “With the candidature file being submitted to the IOC in Lausanne today, the race for 2016 has truly begun."

The next significant milestone for Madrid will be on May 2 when the IOC Evaluation Commission begins a four-day visit to inspect its facilities and bid.

The IOC will choose the 2016 host city at its Session in Copenhagen on October 2.

Spain last hosted the Olympics when it was staged in Barcelona in 1992.