Hamburg's No to Olympics divides the city along lines of wealth

The referendum has divided Hamburg like hardly any other issue before. The Sueddeutsche Zeitung reports that the Hamburg population has clearly spoken out against a bid for the Olympic Games – despite a multi-million euro campaign by supporters. The NDR documents how the vote ran along income lines: in more affluent districts, Yes dominated, in poorer neighborhoods, No.

This leaves only three candidates in the national race. The Tageszeitung reports that Munich, the Rhine-Ruhr region, and Berlin still have chances to bid for the Summer Games in 2036, 2040, or 2044. In Munich and Cologne/Rhine-Ruhr, previous surveys had shown 66 percent approval – significantly higher than in Hamburg.

Senate attempts to limit damage

Mayor Peter Tschentscher attempted the day after the vote to avert damage to his administration. Der Spiegel quotes the Senate as saying that the No had not damaged the Senate's work. Yet the defeat is attributed in the public to arrogance and questionable tactics by supporters – an accusation that widens the gap between the Senate and the population.

For other regions, Hamburg's decision could open opportunities. Die Zeit reports that Warnemünde could benefit from Hamburg's No as a possible "sailing candidate." The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) must now decide how to proceed with the German bidding process – and whether the remaining three candidates are sufficient to remain internationally competitive.