(ATR) Switzerland is down to just one candidate if the country is to bid for the 2026 Winter Games.
For the second time in four years, voters in the canton of Graubündenhave rejected an Olympic bid in a public referendum.
This time, 60 percent of those casting ballots voted against the local government taking out a 25 million Swiss Franc ($24.94 million) commitment loan for a run at the 2026 Games.
Jon Domenic Parolini,Head of the Department of Economy and Social Affairs for the canton of Graubünden, told Around the Rings that "due to the failed public referendum the bid cannot continue."
"The public legitimation has always been the main concern of the cantonal government," Parolini said. "It has therefore decided to take a referendum early in the national evaluation process. With 60 percent a vast majority of the people did not support the idea of bringing the Winter Games 2026 to Graubünden.
"The cantonal government regrets this result. The Winter Games 2026 could have had a significant impact on tourism which is the most important industry in Graubünden."
Residents of St. Moritz, which previously hosted the Winter Games in 1928 and 1948, were also clearly against the referendum according to Swiss media reports.
The lack of interest to have an Olympic Games in Graubündenappears to be growing. In 2013, only about 53 percent of voters denied a bid for the 2022 Games in a referendum.
Graubündenwas at the heart of the Eastern Swiss regional bid.
The other regional bid, centered in Sion in Western Switzerland, does not face a referendum. Sion has previously lost out in bids to host the 1976, 2002 and 2006 Winter Games.
Swiss Olympic is currently evaluating the bids and is expected to make a decision in early March. At this point, it appears the only question to be answered is if the one remaining bid passes muster.
Other countries seriously considering a bid for 2026 include Sweden (Stockholm), Austria (Innsbruck), Canada (Calgary) and Japan (Sapporo).
Written by Gerard Farek
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