The Prime Minister is stepping up a gear on ambitious plans to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games back to the UK, with a £7 million cash injection to explore a future bid and a commitment to champion sport across the country.
Government officials believe the Games could give the whole country something to get behind and help bring hope and national pride back with communities from across the north all in the running to play their part.
Mayors and local leaders across the north of England have rallied behind the idea of bringing the Games to the region.
Their ambition is for a sporting event that could unlock untapped potential across the north, involving tens of thousands of people in its delivery and engage millions more through sport, culture and community activity.
The ambition is to create a Games that belongs to the whole of the UK, bringing communities across north and south together and spreading its benefits across the country.
Government backing helped bring last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup to England, with Twickenham hosting the showpiece final, and there are more big sporting moments ahead.
In 2027, the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes Grand Départs will race through England, Scotland and Wales, before the UK and Ireland host UEFA EURO 2028.
Those major events are backed by government investment of more than £500 million, helping spread the excitement and benefits of world-class sport across the whole UK.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Few things bring a country together quite like the Olympics. I want people to feel that sense of excitement again, and to experience it in their own towns and communities, not just watch it on the telly.
“The Games would unlock opportunity across our towns and cities for the whole country. From north to south, it would be something everyone could get behind and be proud of.
“We know we can put on the greatest show on earth. Now we want to explore how we can do it again, with the whole country behind it.”
Councillor Garry Bridges, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “You do not need to look far to understand the transformative impact that sport has had on our region. The 2002 Commonwealth Games was a huge moment for our city, acting as a catalyst for our economy boom, encouraging future growth and setting the stage for the development of some of the biggest names in world sport, right here in Manchester.
“From major sporting events to highlights on the cultural calendar Manchester has a proven track record of being able to shine on the biggest of stages. From inspiring the next generation of sporting stars to showcasing what our region has to offer to the world, this latest initiative is exciting and one that we are ready for and would eagerly welcome.
“This bid could be a defining moment for the north and it is a huge signal of confidence that the Government is so committed to sport in our region, and providing the investment needed to get the north’s Olympic bid off the ground.”
UK Sport’s initial work mapping out the costs and potential benefits of a Northern Games has helped it clear its first hurdle. The new assessment will look in greater detail at how this would work in practice, including types of venues and transport links needed, how hosting could be spread across the north, the costs and benefits involved for communities and the prospects of developing a winning bid. This work will to be taken forward in partnership – between the Government, UK Sport, and the Northern Mayors, as well as the British Olympic and Paralympic Associations, who would ultimately be responsible for any bid.
The Games could support the Prime Minister and Chancellor’s wider ambitions to regenerate towns and cities everywhere. Through the Northern Growth Strategy, driven from No 10 North, that includes investment in better transport links, new homes, public spaces and grassroots sport.
A Northern Games full feasibility study – which is expected to be announced by John Healey in his Budget on Wednesday – will now put the plans through their paces, looking in detail at how a successful Games could be delivered and the prospects of a winning bid.
Chancellor John Healey MP said: “Olympic legacy lasts way beyond the celebration of sport over the summer. The North hosting an event as big as this would be truly unforgettable.
“Britain’s experience of London 2012 is proof we can host the world. I’m picking up the pace on our work to potentially bid for these prestigious games. It will lift communities, create opportunities and give the UK a huge boost.”
Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said: “We have an incredible sporting history and have produced some of the greatest Olympians and Paralympians, from Keely Hodgkinson and Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, to Hannah Cockcroft and Alistair Brownlee.
“Every corner of the country has the talent, potential and ambition to host an iconic Olympic and Paralympic Games. We’re backing the next steps towards a Northern Olympic bid so together we can write the next chapter of our country’s Olympic legacy.”