North of England launches bid to host Olympics

Political leaders have urged the government to ensure any future UK Olympic and Paralympic bid would be based in the north of England.

Regional representatives, including Andy Burnham and London 2012 gold medalist turned Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire Luke Campbell, said there was a "compelling" case for the North to host the event.

Under the banner of The Great North partnership, all 11 leaders have written to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy saying a bid rooted in the north would be a "fairer redistribution of major events across the country".

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said any future bid would be decided by the British Olympic Association, rather than government.

In a statement the partnership said the North "already has many of the foundations in place to deliver a world-class Games, including elite sporting venues, major stadia and arenas, established transport hubs, accommodation capacity, and world-class broadcast and creative capability".

"Northern Mayors and Leaders believe a Games anchored in the North would represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to accelerate regeneration, rebalance the economy, and reset international perceptions of England," they said.

"It could act as a catalyst for long-term investment in transport, skills, housing, grassroots sport and cultural infrastructure, with benefits lasting well beyond the closing ceremony."

In their letter they called for the government to "agree in principle" to any future bid being "anchored in the North of England" as well as to support preparatory and feasibility work around a future bid and to "align early on the legacy objectives" of any bid.

Campbell, who was elected as the first mayor for Hull and East Yorkshire last year, said winning boxing gold for Team GB at London 2012 was "one of the proudest moments of my life".

"Bringing the Olympics to the North isn't just about sport," he said.

"It's about giving our kids something to aim for, creating real opportunities and showing the world what this part of the country has to offer."

Greater Manchester mayor Burnham said he was "confident our bid would make for a compelling proposition".

"Much of the infrastructure is already in place, our facilities are second-to-none, and we have a track record of hosting major global events," he added.

London hosted the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, but the Games did not appear to create the legacy many had hoped for.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said the North of England could host a "box office, world-leading Olympic Games".

"As Mayors and leaders we are ready to deliver, now we need national government and sporting bodies to match our ambition.

"The Olympics would be our moment for the North to stand tall on the international stage."

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said a northern Olympics "would be a real catalyst for investment, jobs, opportunity, and true national renewal".

In a joint statement, Jonathan Brook, leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, and Mark Fryer, leader of Cumberland Council, said: "We stand ready to engage with government on working up a proposal that could have generational impact and legacy for our entire region and the country as a whole."

"A Games rooted in the North would be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to bring the Olympics closer to ordinary communities that have too often felt like they've been left out of the national story," added Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region.

A DCMS spokesperson said the government wanted to continue the UK's "world-leading reputation" for hosting major sporting events.

"We will continue to work closely with our expert arm's-length body UK Sport to identify opportunities that will strengthen the UK's major events pipeline," they added.

The British Olympic Association has been contacted for comment.