‘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’
Fireworks burst above the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012.(Image: Getty Images)
Moves to bring the Olympics Games to the region have taken a major leap forward as the Government commissions a strategic assessment. Plans first emerged for the global sporting contest to take centre in the North earlier this year, when The Great North – a collaboration of Mayors and leaders across the North – backed a called for the games to take place across the Northern regions in the 2040s.
The group penned a letter to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, calling on the Government to commit to the principle that a future Olympic and Paralympic bid would be based in the North – a letter which was backed by Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, Luke Campbell.
Before his career in politics, Mr Campbell triumphed at the London Olympics 2012, taking gold in the men’s bantamweight division in a win he told us was “one of the proudest moments of my life”.
The compelling case for the North to stage the huge event – thanks to existing impressive sporting credentials –also aligns with the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s move towards multi-city and region-wide games.
Now the Government has commissioned UK Sport to carry out an initial strategic assessment, examining whether the UK could host an Olympic and Paralympic Games in the North of England during the 2040s. The assessment forms part of an ambitious drive to use sports to power regeneration of towns and cities.
Initial work will explore key factors, such as potential cost, socioeconomic benefit and any bid’s chance of success. The Government says it firmly sees major sporting events and sporting facilities as playing a key role in driving economic growth, regeneration, improving pride in place, and bolstering the UK’s global appeal.
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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.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, 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.”
The Government has also announced a wave of new work to use sport as a catalyst for local regeneration and economic growth. Work includes the launch of a ‘stadium regeneration accelerator’, a new cross-Government programme which will work with sporting bodies on priority sports infrastructure development projects that can help deliver local regeneration and commercial growth
The new Sporting Events Bill is also set to be introduced to Parliament on Thursday, to make it easier to bid for, secure and deliver major sporting events in future.
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