Northern England Mayors Want Olympics for Their Region

Leaders in Northern England are proposing that the UK's next Olympic Games should be held in their region. They believe this will help the economy and create more chances for people there. They are asking the government to look into this idea.
By Newsroom | Sports, United Kingdom |

Stakes in the Push for a Northern Games

Calls are mounting for future Olympic and Paralympic Games hosted by the United Kingdom to be centered in the North of England. This proposal is presented as a way to address the long-standing economic and social imbalance between the North and the South of the country. Supporters believe a Northern Games would not only showcase the region's capabilities on a global stage but also provide a significant boost through sustained investment and a lasting legacy, aiming for a more equitable distribution of major international sporting events across the nation.

The Bid for a Northern Games: Background and Actors

The push for a Northern-centric Olympic bid appears to be gaining traction. Mayors from the North, including Steve Rotheram of Greater Manchester and Tracy Brabin of West Yorkshire, are vocal in their support. The Independent newspaper reports that these mayors, along with figures like Lisa Nandy, believe a Northern Games could serve as a powerful tool for national rebalancing. Sir Brendan Foster, founder of the Great North Run, has publicly endorsed this ambition, framing it as a matter of fairer distribution for major international events. The Great North organization has also formally requested government support for feasibility studies.

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Future UK bids for Olympics and Paralympics must be in the North, mayors say - 1

Simultaneously, discussions about potential bids for the 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games are underway, with cities like Liverpool and Manchester being mentioned as possible hosts. The BBC highlights that such bids typically require substantial lead time, with hosts often decided seven to fourteen years in advance. This timeframe suggests that any serious consideration for a Northern bid for 2040 would need prompt government engagement. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has been approached for comment regarding these proposals.

The broader context of UK Olympic bids is also relevant. UK Sport, the government agency focused on elite sports, has been exploring the possibility of the UK hosting future mega-events. Research published by The Conversation outlines four key reasons why the UK should consider bidding for the 2040 Games, citing lessons learned from past events and the evolving, more flexible hosting models now favored by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

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Future UK bids for Olympics and Paralympics must be in the North, mayors say - 2

Meanwhile, past hosting costs remain a point of discussion. Sports Business Journal notes that while Paris aims for a budget-conscious Games, its current estimated cost of at least $8.87 billion already exceeds initial projections. This figure, though significant, is notably less than the substantial sums spent by London in 2012 ($17 billion), Tokyo in 2021 (estimated $28 billion), and Rio de Janeiro in 2016 ($24 billion). These financial benchmarks underscore the economic considerations inherent in any Olympic bid.

Evidence of Support and Proposals

Key figures and organizations have expressed support for a Northern Olympic bid:

Future UK bids for Olympics and Paralympics must be in the North, mayors say - 3

  • Regional Mayors: Steve Rotheram and Tracy Brabin are principal advocates, arguing the Games would "rebalance the north-south divide" and "ensure a fairer national redistribution of major events."

  • Sir Brendan Foster: The founder of the Great North Run fully backs the ambition, emphasizing the goal of "fairer distribution of major international sporting events."

  • The Great North: This entity has formally asked the government to support feasibility and preparatory work for a Northern bid.

  • UK Sport: The agency has been investigating the UK's potential to host future mega-events, indicating a national interest in future bids.

Regional Rebalancing Through Sport

The primary argument for a Northern Games centers on its potential to address the persistent North-South economic and social disparity.

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  • Economic Catalyst: Proponents argue that hosting the Olympics would unlock significant, long-term investment specifically for the North.

  • National Legacy: Beyond the immediate event, the Games are seen as an opportunity to foster transformative regional development and leave a substantial, positive legacy.

  • Symbolic Representation: Mayors envision a Northern Games as a moment for the region to "stand tall on the international stage," boosting regional pride and global visibility.

Evolving Olympic Hosting Models and Past Costs

The landscape of hosting major sporting events is changing, with implications for future bids.

Future UK bids for Olympics and Paralympics must be in the North, mayors say - 4

  • Flexible Hosting: Recent trends show a move towards more adaptable hosting models, potentially making bids more feasible and less burdensome.

  • Learned Lessons: The UK has gained considerable experience from hosting previous mega-events, improving its capacity in areas like infrastructure and legacy planning.

  • Cost Management: While Paris's current Olympic budget is substantial, it is framed within a broader IOC initiative to control costs. However, past games in London, Tokyo, and Rio demonstrate the immense financial scale that can be involved, even with cost-cutting efforts.

Infrastructure Needs for Northern Cities

For cities like Liverpool and Manchester to be viable hosts, significant investment would be required, particularly in transportation.

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  • Transport Investment: Leaders in these cities acknowledge that upgrades to transport networks are essential to manage the influx of international athletes, officials, and spectators.

  • Event Timeline: The typical lead time for selecting Olympic hosts (7-14 years) necessitates early planning and investment to ensure readiness.

Expert Perspectives on Mega-Event Hosting

Researchers and sporting bodies have weighed in on the UK's potential to host future Games.

  • UK Sport's Interest: The agency's work on building a case for future UK mega-events indicates a strategic interest at a national level.

  • Academic Support: Sport researchers from The Conversation identify four specific reasons supporting a UK bid, viewing it as a positive opportunity rather than just a financial burden.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The proposition for future UK Olympic and Paralympic bids to be centered in Northern England has emerged as a significant proposal, driven by regional leaders aiming to leverage a major international event for economic rebalancing and national legacy. Mayors and supporting organizations are actively seeking government partnership and feasibility studies.

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The discussions are occurring within a context of evolving IOC hosting requirements and ongoing debate about the financial implications of such large-scale events. While the UK has accumulated valuable experience from past bids and hosting, and the trend toward more flexible hosting models might offer new avenues, the need for substantial infrastructure investment, particularly in transportation for potential Northern host cities, remains a critical consideration.

  • Immediate Action: The Great North has formally requested government support for preliminary assessments.

  • Government Consideration: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport's response to these proposals will be a key indicator of future progress.

  • Broader Bid Context: The UK's overall readiness and strategy for future mega-events, as explored by UK Sport and academics, will shape the wider Olympic bidding landscape.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do Northern mayors want the Olympics?
They believe it will help the economy in Northern England and make things more equal with the South of the UK.
Q: Which cities might host?
Cities like Liverpool and Manchester are being talked about.
Q: When would this happen?
The games are for 2040, but decisions are made many years before.