Olympics: "bitter disappointment" - Hamburg says "no" to the Olympics again

Voters in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg have once again rejected their city's bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games after 2015. This result was confirmed by the Hamburg Senate Chancellery on the evening of 31 May. First Mayor Dr Peter Tschentscher said: "The people of Hamburg have decided that the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg should not bid for the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. The vote is binding for the Senate."

Hamburg has already withdrawn its Olympic bid

According to information from the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, the estimated turnout was 49.5 per cent. There were 291,357 votes in favour of the Olympic bid and 354,689 votes against. That is 45.1 per cent votes in favour against 54.9 per cent votes against. This means that the opponents of the Olympic Games between the Elbe and the Alster have prevailed.

Dr Peter Tschentscher immediately followed up his vote with the announced action. He said: "I have just informed the President of the DOSB, Thomas Weikert, and Germany's representative at the IOC, Michael Mronz, that Hamburg is withdrawing its Olympic bid. Many citizens who were looking forward to the Games are disappointed with the result of the referendum."

I also very much regret the vote, but I would like to thank everyone who supported the goal of bringing the Games to Hamburg." Dr Peter Tschentscher

Commenting on the background, Dr Peter Tschentscher, whose Senate had campaigned strongly for the bid, said: "We knew from the earlier referendum that scepticism towards the Olympics was greater in Hamburg than in many other cities. Nevertheless, we decided in favour because the Olympic and Paralympic Games are a great opportunity for everyone under the current conditions. They would have provided a tailwind for many developments that we want to achieve for our city even without the Olympics."

Hamburg wants to remain a strong Active City despite shattered Olympic dreams

After the defeat, Tschentscher promised: "Above all, we will remain an active city in which sport and exercise are highly valued. Popular and elite sport is firmly anchored in Hamburg. It inspires, motivates and brings people together. We are already looking forward to the Football World Cup in the summer and to future major sporting events in which we will be involved as a venue or in public viewing."

Second Mayor Katharina Fegebank also described Hamburg's "no" to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the city as a "bitter disappointment" and a "missed opportunity for our city". At the same time, she recognised: "The majority of people in Hamburg have spoken out against a bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and we naturally respect that."

Sports Senator Andy Grothe thanked them, who had campaigned for the dream of an Olympic Games in Hamburg and said: "Over 250,000 Hamburg residents were inspired by the idea of a festival of diversity and sport in the heart of the city and supported an application with their vote. But in the end it wasn't enough. A majority decided against Hamburg's application. That is democracy and the result must be accepted."

Munich, the Rhine-Ruhr region and Berlin remain in the Olympic race

Following the cancellation of Hamburg's bid, three candidates remain in the national race for the role of German candidate in the battle to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Germany. Munich (66.4 per cent support from voters in the referendum), the Rhine-Ruhr region (average 66 per cent support in 16 cities) and Berlin are still on board.

The first two - Munich and Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr - have favourable referendums behind them. In Berlin, the House of Representatives decided by a majority on 21 May to bid to host the Olympic Games. The CDU, SPD and AfD voted in favour of the bid. The Left and the Greens - the latter unlike in Hamburg - voted against.

On 26 September, the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) will decide which of the three major national candidates will be sent to the international bidding stage in the battle to host the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Games. The choice of the associated sailing venue will therefore remain exciting until the autumn. The three remaining candidates must submit their detailed Olympic concept to the DOSB in Frankfurt by 4 June.

Two sailing areas to choose from

Munich had decided in favour of Kiel, where an Olympic sailing regatta had already been held twice. On 19 April, the people of Kiel gave their city's Olympic efforts a clear green light with 63.5 per cent of votes in favour of the bid. Berlin goes with Rostock-Warnemünde. The NRW campaign has so far kept the choice of sailing partner open.