The North of England could play host to the Olympic and Paralympic Games for the first time in history, as Northern Mayors and Leaders set out a clear proposition for a future UK bid to be anchored in the North of England.
The Great North – a collaboration of Mayors and Leaders across the North – has written a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy, calling on Government to commit in principle that any future UK Olympic and Paralympic bid is based in the North and for a fairer redistribution of major events across the country.
Chair of The Great North and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: ‘The North of England has a sporting history and prowess like no other place, and we are united in our belief that our region could host a box office, world-leading Olympic Games.
‘Bringing the Olympics to the UK would unite the North and the whole nation, bringing people together and unleashing a groundswell of pride in our places. The Olympics create a legacy like no other, with game-changing investment in jobs, regeneration and transport, creating opportunity for people across the North.
‘As Mayors and leaders we are ready to deliver, now we need national Government and sporting bodies to match our ambition: The Olympics would be our moment for the North to stand tall on the international stage.’
The letter comes following a call from the Heseltine Institute for the North of England to host a multi-city games, citing the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s growing support for multi-city, region-wide bids, making a Northern England Games both credible and timely.
Northern Mayors and Leaders believe a Games anchored in the North would represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to accelerate regeneration, rebalance the economy, and reset international perceptions of England. It could act as a catalyst for long-term investment in transport, skills, housing, grassroots sport and cultural infrastructure, with benefits lasting well beyond the closing ceremony.
In the letter, Mayors and leaders have asked Government to:
– agree in principle that any future UK Olympic and Paralympic bid is anchored in the North of England
– support proportionate feasibility and preparatory work in partnership with Northern Mayors and Leader
– align early on the legacy objectives of any bid, ensuring long-term benefit for Northern communities, including a plan to redistribute more major events to the North as a catalyst for jobs, regeneration and attracting more visitors.
The Mayors and Leaders of The Great North say they stand ready to work with Government to shape a proposal that is credible, deliverable and transformative – not just for the North, but for the country as a whole.