LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — IOC President Thomas Bach says the demise of Hamburg’s bid for the 2024 Olympics marks a “missed opportunity” for the city and Germany.
Hamburg withdrew its bid Sunday after it was rejected in a referendum by voters in the northern port city.
Bach says in a statement Monday that the vote came as Germany copes with an influx of migrants and refugees. He says the situation “requires a great effort by German government and society and is causing widespread feelings of uncertainty.”
He also says the vote may have been influenced by current doping and corruption scandals in sports.
Bach says IOC officials “regret the decision which should be seen in the light of the very particular and difficult circumstances the referendum was held in.”
He adds: “This is a missed opportunity for Hamburg and Germany.”
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