Hamburg has withdrawn from the race to host the 2024 Olympics after falling short in a public referendum. Just shy of 52% of voters rejected the proposal, meaning the German city will pull out of the race with immediate effect, the Guardian reports.

Officials announced the verdict on their Twitter feed, @2024Hamburg, declaring: “A crucial day is coming to an end – 48.3% ‘Yes’ votes in Hamburg are not enough to stay in the bidding process for the Games 2024.”

Hamburg’s decision leaves four cities – Rome, Paris, Budapest and Los Angeles – in the running, with the victors set to be declared in September 2017.

Hamburg is the second German city whose public have rejected proposals to host a Games, with Munich having voted against a plan to bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics.