UK Formally Assesses Bid for North of England to Host Olympics in 2040s
The UK Government is looking into a potential bid for the north of England to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the 2040s.
Ministers have commissioned UK Sport to assess the viability of a potential bid which, if successful, would see the Olympics return to Britain for the first time since the Games in London in 2012.
The assessment will examine the costs, the socio-economic benefits to the north, and the likelihood of any bid being successful.
While London has hosted the Olympics three times, in 1908, 1948 and 2012, no other part of the UK ever has.
Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds and Sheffield are among northern cities with fine pedigrees in sport as well as music and culture.
The plans were welcomed by Culture Secretary and Wigan MP Lisa Nandy, who said: “London 2012 showed what the Olympics can do for our country. It inspired a generation through sport, attracted huge investment and showed the best of Britain to the world.
“But while the north of England has driven so much sporting excellence, no matter the talent we produce, the sporting moments we create, and the world-class events we attract – for too long we have been told the Olympics is simply too big and too important to be hosted in the North.
“Not any more. It’s time the Olympics came north and we showed what we can offer to the world.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to announce that we’re starting the firing gun on a long overdue vote of confidence in the North.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves, MP for Leeds West and Pudsey, added: “Britain’s sporting prowess is recognised and respected around the world. It’s something we are determined to capitalise on to breathe life into our communities and build a stronger and more secure economy.
“That’s why we’re throwing our full support behind bringing the games back home which will boost our Northern Growth Corridor.
“It’s also why we’re backing stadium regeneration plans, like at Elland Road, to deliver new homes, business opportunities and public spaces in Leeds and beyond.”
London Mayor Criticises Plan As “Missed Opportunity”
However, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has voiced his opposition saying that excluding London would be a “missed opportunity”.
A spokesperson for Khan said: “London is the sporting capital of the world and the mayor has openly expressed his ambition for the capital to be part of a future Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Sadiq believes that a potential country-wide bid, using all the assets we have in the UK, including the publicly owned London Stadium, would deliver the very best possible Olympics.
“Using London’s existing world-class infrastructure would help deliver the greenest and most sustainable Games, as well as unlocking huge economic growth both here in London and around the country. Not including the capital in an Olympics bid would be a missed opportunity, and mean our country fails to unleash the full benefits of a UK-wide games.”