Germany 2006 World Cup corruption scandal, refugee crisis and doping scandals contributed to Hamburg decision not to bid for Olympics, claims Bach

Doubts over the budget, controversy surrounding Germany's bid to host the 2006 FIFA World Cup and recent doping scandals contributed to Hamburg's citizens voting against the city bidding for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, it was claimed today by Thomas Bach.

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) also claimed the refugee crisis, which is expected to see a million migrants arrive in Germany by the end of the year, contributed to the shock defeat.

"Obviously the narrow vote was greatly influenced by the discussion about the financing of the project presented by the candidate city," the German said following the decision yesterday by 51.6 per cent of Hamburg citizens to vote against the proposed bid," said Bach.

"The budget for organsing the Olympic Games with €3.4 billion (£2.4 billion/$3.6 million) was very well-balanced, with the IOC contributing $1.7 billion (£1.13 billion/€1.6 billion) to this budget and to the success of the Games, compared to the €1.2 billion (£840 million/$1.3 billion) the city wanted to invest in the infrastructure budget of €7.8 billion (£5.5 billion/$8.2 billion)

"We are aware that the decision came at a time, in which Germany has to manage a historic challenge with an extremely high number of refugees coming into the country.

"This requires a great effort by German Government and society and is causing widespread feelings of uncertainty."

Nikolas Hill (centre), head of Hamburg 2024, and Michael Vesper (right), chief executive of the DOSB, look on as they discover the proposed bid for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics had been defeated in a referendum ©Getty Images

Bach did not mention specifically recent publicity surrounding Germany's successful campaign to stage the 2006 World Cup after former captain and coach Franz Beckenbauer was accused of making €6.7 million (£5 million/$7.6 million) payment to FIFA before the tournament was awarded in 1999 and over a contract he signed with disgraced former high-ranking FIFA official Jack Warner.

It was clear, what he was referring too, however.

Nikolas Hill, chief executive of Hamburg 2024, had already identified the scandal as a potential problem for the city's bid.

"The decision also may have been influenced by regrettable incidents with regard to doping and corruption in other sports organisations," said Bach, a close friend of Beckenbauer's and who was involved in the organisation of the 2006 World Cup.

"This is a pity, since the IOC itself ensures transparency and good governance and applies strict anti-corruption rules with its Olympic Agenda 2020 reform programme in line with highest international standards.

‘The IOC of course respects the close vote by the citizens of Hamburg.

"We regret the decision which should be seen in the light of the very particular and difficult circumstances the referendum was held in.

"This is a missed opportunity for Hamburg and Germany."

Franz Beckenbauer (left), pictured with IOC President Thomas Bach at Sochi 2014, was accused of making a €6.7 million payment to FIFA during Germany's successful campaign to host the 2006 World Cup ©Getty Images

Bach, however, claimed the IOC is still happy with the four cities left in the race for 2024.

"The IOC is proud to have four strong candidate cities. Budapest, Los Angeles, Paris and Rome are looking with anticipation to the future of their cities and to use the Olympic project as a catalyst for positive, sustainable and feasible development," he said.

"They all are already working together with the IOC to take full benefit of the reforms of Olympic Agenda 2020, which is focusing to have the Olympic Games being in line with the long-term needs of the citizens of future Olympic Cities’."