The Polish city of of Krakow has withdrawn from the bidding to host the 2022 winter Olympic Games leaving just four cities in the race with uncertainly over bids from Oslo in Norway and Lviv in Ukraine.
Krakow pulled out following Sunday’s referendum in which almost 70 per cent of voters opposed the candidacy. Jacek Majchrowski, the city’s mayor, blamed the previous administration but added: “I am fully aware that it is impossible to realise such a big project without public acceptance.”
Poland’s sports ministry said in a statement that Krakow’s decision to drop out was “a missed opportunity not only for the region but for the whole country.”
The remaining candidates to host the games are: Almaty, Kazahkstan; Beijing; Lviv, Ukraine; and Oslo, Norway. The host city for the 2022 winter Olympics will be selected at the IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur on 31 July, 2015.
