Bulgaria's Winter Olympics 2014 host bid was rejected due to the lack of parliamentary and presidential support in Bulgaria, head of the national youth and sports agency Vessela Lecheva said.

On June 22 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the three candidate cities, wchich would continue to the next selection round and maintain their chance to host the games in 2014. Sofia was not among the selected candidates.

The support of Bulgaria’s parliament and the president came too late, Lecheva said. At the same time Bulgaria failed to prepare its application thoroughly, said she.
 
Yet, the bid could be seen as advertising of winter sport opportunities in Bulgaria, said Lecheva.

BGNES Sport agency quoted head of the state tourism agency Mario al-Djebouri as saying the IOC decision was disappointing. All effort now needed to be focused on Bulgaria's next application for Olympics host, al-Djebouri said.

Stefka Kostadinova, chairperson of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee (BOC) said that Bulgaria deserved to host Olympic Games.