Olympics: IOC chief Bach not worried by host city referendums
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach laughs while holding a speech during the 44th European Olympic Committee general assembly in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. AP Photo
PARIS, France—International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach insisted Friday that he was not worried by other cities holding referendums which voted against hosting future Olympic Games.
READ: IOC urges US to come up with another bid city for 2024 Games
Last weekend, the people of Hamburg voted against the German city entering the race for the 2024 Games.
“The referendum, it is not a question for the Olympic Games. People never answer the question being asked—if you don’t want to do something, then have a referendum,” said Bach.
“In Germany, it was a very particular situation. This does not worry us at all.”
The people of Hamburg and Kiel—which would have hosted sailing events—said ‘no’ in last Sunday’s referendum, with 51.6% of the 650,000 votes voting against a bid.
The decision left four cities in the running—Budapest, Los Angeles, Paris and Rome.
READ: Olympics: Budapest, Hamburg, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome bid for 2024 Games
Budapest voted on Wednesday against holding a referendum in the Hungarian capital but only by 16-14.
