Northerners Unite: The Region Seeks Its Moment in the Spotlight with a Multi-City Olympics Bid
In a bold move, leaders from across the North of England have written to culture secretary Lisa Nandy, pushing for the region to host the 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This bid aims to give the North its moment in the spotlight, breaking away from being left out of national stories.
The proposal envisions a multi-city games that would span an area with over 15 million people, showcasing the region's unique sporting heritage. From the birthplace of football in Sheffield, where the game's original rules were written in 1858, to its thriving elite venues, the North believes it has the perfect blend of sports and infrastructure to host a successful event.
Mayor Andy Burnham, who led the charge with his Greater Manchester colleagues, expressed his support for the bid, stating that it would be unfair for London to host for the fourth time. "It wouldn't be fair or right" for one city to reap all the benefits, he said. Instead, the North is calling for a more balanced approach, ensuring a fair distribution of major international sporting events across the country.
The idea has been endorsed by Sir Brendan Foster, a renowned athlete and founder of the Great North Run, who believes that hosting a northern games would be vital for "a fairer distribution of major international sporting events." He argued that while iconic events like Wimbledon and Royal Ascot are rightly celebrated in London, the government should have a more balanced approach when financing global sporting events.
Supporters point out that this bid could bring significant benefits to the region, accelerating regeneration, rebalancing the economy, and resetting international perceptions of England. They hope that Keir Starmer's Labour party will see the political benefit of such an event, which could help counter the Reform UK's growing presence in Labour's former heartlands.
Despite culture secretary Nandy's department refusing to comment on whether they would support the bid, mayors remain optimistic about their chances. They believe the International Olympic Committee's shift towards multi-city events has made it easier for them to make a strong case.
The bid also carries personal significance, particularly for those who have represented England on the world stage. Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire Luke Campbell shared his own experience of winning gold at the 2012 London Olympics, saying that hosting the games in the North would be about giving kids something to aim for, creating opportunities, and showcasing what the region has to offer.
As mayors carefully navigate the complexities of bidding for a major international event, they must also avoid the costly legacy of previous games. The 2012 Olympics in London were plagued by gentrification and cost overruns, making it essential for the North to plan their bid with caution.
With the International Olympic Committee's emphasis on multi-city events, the North is seizing its chance to shine on the global stage. Will they succeed? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain โ this bold move has given the region a glimmer of hope and a new opportunity to make its mark.
In a bold move, leaders from across the North of England have written to culture secretary Lisa Nandy, pushing for the region to host the 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This bid aims to give the North its moment in the spotlight, breaking away from being left out of national stories.
The proposal envisions a multi-city games that would span an area with over 15 million people, showcasing the region's unique sporting heritage. From the birthplace of football in Sheffield, where the game's original rules were written in 1858, to its thriving elite venues, the North believes it has the perfect blend of sports and infrastructure to host a successful event.
Mayor Andy Burnham, who led the charge with his Greater Manchester colleagues, expressed his support for the bid, stating that it would be unfair for London to host for the fourth time. "It wouldn't be fair or right" for one city to reap all the benefits, he said. Instead, the North is calling for a more balanced approach, ensuring a fair distribution of major international sporting events across the country.
The idea has been endorsed by Sir Brendan Foster, a renowned athlete and founder of the Great North Run, who believes that hosting a northern games would be vital for "a fairer distribution of major international sporting events." He argued that while iconic events like Wimbledon and Royal Ascot are rightly celebrated in London, the government should have a more balanced approach when financing global sporting events.
Supporters point out that this bid could bring significant benefits to the region, accelerating regeneration, rebalancing the economy, and resetting international perceptions of England. They hope that Keir Starmer's Labour party will see the political benefit of such an event, which could help counter the Reform UK's growing presence in Labour's former heartlands.
Despite culture secretary Nandy's department refusing to comment on whether they would support the bid, mayors remain optimistic about their chances. They believe the International Olympic Committee's shift towards multi-city events has made it easier for them to make a strong case.
The bid also carries personal significance, particularly for those who have represented England on the world stage. Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire Luke Campbell shared his own experience of winning gold at the 2012 London Olympics, saying that hosting the games in the North would be about giving kids something to aim for, creating opportunities, and showcasing what the region has to offer.
As mayors carefully navigate the complexities of bidding for a major international event, they must also avoid the costly legacy of previous games. The 2012 Olympics in London were plagued by gentrification and cost overruns, making it essential for the North to plan their bid with caution.
With the International Olympic Committee's emphasis on multi-city events, the North is seizing its chance to shine on the global stage. Will they succeed? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain โ this bold move has given the region a glimmer of hope and a new opportunity to make its mark.
. Hosting the Olympics would be a massive boost for regeneration and the economy, especially with the North being so under-invested compared to London. It's only fair that other parts of the country get a chance to host big events. Plus, it'd be awesome to see the world discover our amazing sporting cities like Sheffield and Hull! 
The idea of a multi-city games in the North would definitely bring some excitement to the region and give people from up north a chance to shine. Plus, it would be great for the local economy and regeneration efforts โ just imagine how much money could be pumped into those cities during the Games! 
Itโs also interesting that this bid is coming at a time when Labour needs to find ways to connect with voters in the North... I wonder if this might be the push they need to make some changes? 
I mean, we've been talkin' about how all the events should be more balanced, right? 
it's time for us to step up and show off what we've got! 
The North has so much talent and passion when it comes to sports, and hosting the Olympics would be an incredible way to bring everyone together. 
Plus, think about all the amazing things that could happen for regeneration and the economy - it's a win-win for everyone! 
I'm SO here for this!!! The North needs to be in the spotlight, fam! 
It's like, we've been overlooked for so long, hosting all the major events in London, while our cities are like, totally underrated 
. This multi-city Olympics bid is a total game-changer 
! I mean, can you imagine Sheffield being the birthplace of football? 
And Hull, where Luke Campbell won gold?! 
That's so cool! I'm totes rooting for this bid 
. It's not just about sports, it's about the economy, regeneration, and creating opportunities for young people. This is gonna be HUGE 
!
. Like, who's gonna foot the bill for all these games? The taxpayers of each city or the government as a whole? We can't just ignore the issues of gentrification and cost overruns from previous events... it's like they're saying "oh we learned our lesson last time" 
. And what about the environmental impact? All those extra people coming to visit are gonna bring some strain on local infrastructure, not to mention the carbon footprint of all that travel 
. I need more details before I can say yay or nay to this bid 
.
it's time for someone else to step up. And 15 million people is just a number, what makes them think they can handle something that big? They're still trying to figure out how to fix their transport system 
and infrastructure is already a mess. It's not like they haven't had chances before... remember the Manchester Commonwealth Games fiasco back in '00? 
Let's just say this bid has some major hurdles to clear before it even gets close to being a real contender.
It's just more of the same, right? We're already seeing the effects of gentrification from previous games in London - increased property prices and cost of living going through the roof. Can we really afford to replicate that in another city? 
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. Fingers crossed for the North! 
I'm glad someone's finally thinking about the North getting some love 
. But let's be real, it's not just about the region โ it's about the economics and infrastructure 
. Can they pull it off without breaking the bank or leaving a trail of gentrification in their wake? We'll have to wait and see