Hamburg residents have voted against bidding for the Olympic Games in 2036, 2040 or 2044. About 54.9 percent opposed the plans, with turnout at 49.5 percent.
The vote outcome mirrored 2015, when 51.6 percent rejected a bid for 2024. Mayor Peter Tschentscher of the SPD had campaigned personally, highlighting economic opportunities and the concept of short distances between venues.
Opponents including the Left party, the AfD, the NOlympia initiative and environmental groups cited financial risks and strains on traffic, the environment and rents. A broad alliance of politics, sports, business and culture failed to sway the majority.
Following the rejection, Hamburg drops out of the national contest. The German Olympic Sports Confederation will decide on September 26 among candidates from Munich, the Rhein-Ruhr region and Berlin. Kiel had already approved as a potential sailing venue.
