The government is considering bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games back to the UK, with the North of England being the focus of a bid for an event in the 2040s.
UK Sport have been comissioned to carry out an initial strategic assessment into whether hosting the Games in northern England could deliver long-term economic growth, urban regeneration and major infrastructure investment across the region.
The review will examine projected costs, potential socioeconomic benefits and the likelihood of a successful bid.
The move forms part of a wider government strategy to use sport as a catalyst for economic renewal in towns and cities across the country.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy 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.’
Alongside the Olympic assessment, the government announced a new Stadium Regeneration Accelerator programme designed to unlock major sports infrastructure projects across England.
The scheme will bring together government departments, investors and sporting bodies to help remove planning and development barriers surrounding stadium and arena projects.
While direct government funding will not be used to rebuild stadiums, ministers say the initiative will support developments capable of delivering wider economic benefits such as housing, apprenticeships, transport improvements and community sports facilities.
Projects under consideration span several major cities including Greater Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool and London.
The programme will involve organisations such as the Premier League, the English Football League and Women’s Super League Football.
The government also introduced a new Sporting Events Bill to Parliament aimed at simplifying the process of bidding for and hosting international events. The legislation would criminalise the unauthorised resale of tickets for designated sporting events, in an effort to combat ticket touting and ensure supporters can buy tickets at face value.
Chair of The Great North, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: ‘A Great North Olympics would be a global showcase, leaving a legacy of prosperity, unity and renewal. It’s an opportunity not to be missed, delivering transformational investment in transport, regeneration and public spaces across the North of England. This could become the most people-powered Games ever hosted: inspiring millions of people into sport, volunteering and community action.’
While the North has naturally welcomed the development, the Mayor of London has cavilled at the idea, claiming that: ‘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.’
In response to Sadiq Khan’s comment, my colleague, Stockport-based Paul Day said: ‘I mean, really.’
Photo: Sean/UnSplash
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