Budapest is withdrawing its candidacy from the 2024 Olympic Games, citing lack of national unity around its bid, for which the government has blamed the opposition.

"The Olympic Games are a national cause for Budapest and Hungary. According to our experience, unity is necessary to represent national causes. This unity between the leaders of the country and the parties was real at the time of the presentation of the bid, reflected in the decisions of the Budapest City Hall by a majority of 92%, and of the Parliament by a majority of 80%," the government said in a statement.

Support for Budapest's bid has evaporated in recent months and the national cause of the Olympic Games became a political party affair, for which the opposition parties are liable, the government added, accusing them of turning their backs on the former decision. 

Hamburg was first to exit the race in November 2015 as 51.6 percent of its citizens voted against the bid in a referendum, while Rome dropped out in October 2016 citing financial issues.

With Budapest's withdrawal, only two cities are left to compete to host the mega sporting event: Los Angeles and Paris.

The bidding is now under stage three -- the last one -- and the final decision will be out in September, according to IOC.

(With inputs from AFP)