London Mayor Sadiq Khan has criticised the Government's plans to pursue an Olympic bid for the north of England, describing it as a missed opportunity for the nation. Ministers have commissioned UK Sport to conduct a strategic assessment for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the north during the 2040s.
London previously hosted the Games in 2012, following a successful bid in 2005 that spurred significant infrastructure investment, including the London Stadium—now home to West Ham United—and an Olympic village with various sporting venues. Khan argues that a London-based Olympics could leverage these existing facilities, potentially delivering the greenest Games ever.
However, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stated: It is time the Olympics came north, showcasing what we can offer the world. I am delighted to announce the starting gun on a long-overdue vote of confidence in the North. Chancellor Rachel Reeves added: We are throwing our full support behind bringing the Games back home, boosting our Northern Growth Corridor.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London countered that excluding the capital would be a major error, meaning our country fails to unleash the full benefits of a UK-wide games. They said: Sadiq believes a country-wide bid using all UK assets, including the publicly-owned London Stadium, would deliver the best possible Olympics. Using London's world-class infrastructure would help deliver the greenest, most sustainable Games and unlock huge economic growth in London and across the country.
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.
London's 2012 success followed failed bids by Birmingham for 1992 and Manchester for 1996 and 2000. In 2017, London again hosted the athletics World Championships, where Usain Bolt ran his final race.
