Calgary 2026 Winter Olympics bid dead after 'no' vote

FILE PHOTO: Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), speaks as he presents Milan / Cortina as a candidate to host the 2026 Winter Olympics during the 133rd IOC session in Buenos Aires, Argentina October 9, 2018. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/File Photo

(Reuters) - Calgary's hopes of hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics were dashed on Tuesday after citizens voted resoundingly against the western Canadian city's plan to bid for the Games.

More than 56 percent of voters said 'No' in the plebiscite, a surprisingly lopsided margin after both sides had expected a close call in the city which hosted the 1988 Winter Games.