LAUSANNE: The International Olympic Committee said Monday that Hamburg's referendum rejecting its bidding for the 2024 Olympics is a "lost" opportunity for Germany.
But a spokesman also insisted there would still be a strong contest between the remaining contenders -- Budapest, Los Angeles, Paris and Rome.
The terror attacks in Paris and worries about the cost of hosting the 2024 Olympics were blamed by organisers for the rejection by 51.6 percent of Hamburg voters of bidding for the event. Polls in September had shown a large majority in favour.
"Having followed the discussions in Germany over the last weeks, this result does not come as a complete surprise," said an IOC spokesman.
"With this decision a great opportunity for the city, the country and the sport in Germany is lost."
The spokesman said Hamburg would miss about $1.7 billion (1.6 billion euros) in IOC investment while the city had estimated it would need 1.2 billion euros.
"It is understandable that the citizens of Hamburg are very sensitive with regard to the not yet finalised financing plan of the candidature. Even more so in a situation in which Germany has to manage a historic challenge with a high number of refugees coming into the country."
Despite the rejection, the spokesman said: "Now there will be a strong competition with four excellent candidate cities, Budapest, Los Angeles, Paris and Rome for the Olympic Games 2024."
A decision will be made in mid-2017.
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