“No” to Hamburg ‘s proposal to bid to host the Olympic Games of 2036, 2040 or 2044 were told for the second time by citizens in the referendum held yesterday. City officials and business leaders expressed their disappointment.

As reported earlier this evening by North German broadcaster NDR, 54.9% voted “no”, while 45.1% voted “yes”. “I deeply regret the result. Many citizens who were looking forward to the Games are also disappointed,” Hamburg governor/mayor Peter Cenzer said, adding that he had already informed the German Olympic Sports Confederation that Hamburg was withdrawing its bid.

“We knew from the previous referendum that scepticism about the Olympics is greater in Hamburg than in many other cities. Nevertheless, we decided to pursue it because, under the current circumstances, the Olympic and Paralympic Games represent a great opportunity for everyone. It would have boosted many development initiatives that we aim to promote for our city, even without the Olympics. That is precisely our mandate now: we will pursue our urban development goals – as well as the major infrastructure projects for which we need the support of the federal government – with all our might, even without the Olympics,” he said.

Hamburg’s business associations, which had been in favour of their city’s candidacy, also expressed disappointment. “We remain convinced that hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games would have provided enormous opportunities for Hamburg’s international visibility, economic development and infrastructure. A positive vote would send an important signal that we in Hamburg are ambitious – and that we believe we are capable of achieving great things – reaching far beyond the sports sector,” said Norbert Aust, President of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce.

“The joy is great,” said the head of the “NOlympia” campaign for the “no” vote in the referendum, Eckart Maudrich, on the other side, but pointed out that the city appeared divided. “The rules of the game of the International Olympic Committee do not represent the spirit of sport, but rather economic pumping. They take away more than they give. The people of Hamburg love their city and will not be fooled by a million-dollar advertising campaign,” he added.