Northern Olympics presents 'generational opportunity' for growth, leaders say
Hosting the Olympics across the North of England in 2040 would be a generational opportunity to improve living standards and health outcomes throughout the area, regional leaders have said.
Mayors from across the North - from Yorkshire, the North East and the North West - came together at the Steel City Stadium, along with some of the country’s most decorated Olympians and Paralympians, to discuss how best to secure the Olympics and Paralympics for the region.
The bid is still in its infancy, with any decision by either the Government, British Olympic Association or the International Olympic Committee likely years away, but leaders across the political spectrum including Reform UK Mayor Luke Campbell – who is himself an Olympic Gold Medallist – share the same ambition to bring the Olympics and Paralympics to the North for the first time.
Under Sir Keir Starmer, the Government asked the arms-length body UK Sport to conduct an ‘initial strategic assessment’ into whether the region could host the games, what the cost would likely be, and what socio-economic benefits it could bring.
Andy Burnham has also previously been very enthusiastic about the project in his capacity as Greater Manchester Mayor.
To date, no Olympics has been primarily shared between cities, albeit with some events such as sailing and rowing often held nearby.
But South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said as major sporting events get larger, a broader geography can enhance the experience, as well as spread the economic and social benefits more widely.
He told the Yorkshire Post at the event: “If you look at what's going on in the States at the moment with the World Cup, I think what we're seeing with these big sporting events is the need to diversify and change the approach.
“What we are hearing from our friends within the IOC and people in this (sporting) world, is that it is the sort of thing they want to look at in the future, because it helps to spread the cost across a greater area, and it spreads the benefits across a greater area.
“What we've seen in London is brilliant, when you go into the East End of London now, into Newham, Stratford, and the rest of the rest of the host boroughs, and you see the benefit, well actually you need to spread that benefit across the North, and the investment that will come from it, the improvements to transport, we absolutely should be taking that approach, and I think that’s where the IOC is headed.”
For West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, she said a northern games could bring a benefit to the whole of the UK.
“I think it’s a chance for us to say to the country, the North used to be seen as a problem, and now we are the solution to some of the difficulties around growth, and the soft power around the world.
“It’s also a chance to say to the Government ‘believe in us as much as we believe in ourselves’, because there is no doubt we would have a very strong bid for the Olympics once we've done the work."
“We have the infrastructure, we have the people, we have the talent, and it always astonishes me that in 2012, if Yorkshire were a country, we'd be number 12 in the medals tables. I mean, that tells you something, doesn't it?
“So, London's had it 3 times, and I love Sadiq, no disrespect to him, but I think now is our time.”
She also said Andy Burnham potentially becoming Prime Minister could be a fillip for the bid, given his previous support.
“Andy has been an exceptional mayor, he was a really passionate advocate for the bid across the North.
“So, we would have an advocate and a positive voice at the heart of government leading the way.
“To have a Prime Minister who’s an ex-mayor can only be good for mayors, because they understand devolution, the power of devolution, the opportunity. So I think people are feeling quite optimistic
She went on to say she would like to see Rugby League introduced as an Olympic Sport in time for a Northern games, and that if she could have her pick of tickets to any sport, she would probably choose an equestrian event.
But for York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith, he would like to see beach volleyball staged with York Minster as a backdrop.
“The opportunity to watch sailing off our coast would be absolutely magical, and this September we’ve got a stage of British Cycling coming to the dales, so to build on that work and back in 2014 when we hosted a large part of the Tour de France would be a real opportunity because there is nowhere more beautiful to go road cycling than in our part of the county.”
While the Northern Mayors gathered to decide on their next steps, the findings of UK Sport's study will determine whether to proceed with a more detailed "technical feasibility study", with a final decision on any bid resting with the British Olympic Association (BOA).