Brownlee brothers back Bradford's bid to host Great Exhibition

TRIATHLON champions the Brownlee brothers are backing Bradford's bid to host the Great Exhibition of the North.
Alistair Brownlee celebrates with his gold medal and Jonathan Brownlee (right) celebrates with his bronze medal, after the Men's Triathlon at London 2012 Olympics. 
Picture: Mike Egerton/PA WireAlistair Brownlee celebrates with his gold medal and Jonathan Brownlee (right) celebrates with his bronze medal, after the Men's Triathlon at London 2012 Olympics. 
Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Alistair Brownlee celebrates with his gold medal and Jonathan Brownlee (right) celebrates with his bronze medal, after the Men's Triathlon at London 2012 Olympics. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire

Bradford became the first city in Yorkshire to announce it would bid to host the two-month spectacular of art, culture and design in May. The event is part of the Government’s flagship Northern Powerhouse initiative to help rebalance the UK economy and will celebrate the great creative and cultural sectors across the North in summer 2018.

Olympic gold medalist Alistair and his bronze-medal winning brother Jonathan spent their formative years in the city, attending Bradford Grammar School, and are members of the Bingley Harriers running club.

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They said in a statement: “We are very proud to give our full support to Bradford’s exciting bid to host the Great Exhibition of the North. We loved our time at Bradford Grammar School and without the support we received during our education we probably would not have been become professional athletes.

“We have a great attachment to the city, which is young, diverse and enterprising, and believe that it would be the perfect place to showcase all the wonderful and inspiring things happening in the North of England now and in the future.”

Bradford Council leader Coun Susan Hinchcliffe said the bid team were “delighted” to have been endorsed by the brothers.

“Their achievements as professional athletes are truly inspiring and they are fantastic role models for young people everywhere,” she said. “Alistair and Jonny are great ambassadors for Bradford and the North of England and show what is possible through hard work, spirit and determination.”