Olympians and Paralympians back plan for north of England games bid

More than 40 Olympians, Paralympians and elite athletes including Sir Jason Kenny and Dame Sarah Storey have backed a potential bid to bring the games to the north of England.

Ministers announced last month that they would carry out an assessment which could inform a bid for the Olympics and Paralympics in the 2040s.

The strategic assessment by UK Sport will examine the costs, the socio-economic benefits to the North, and the bid’s chance of success.

More than 40 figures from across British sport have now signed a joint statement of support for a North of England Games.

The statement has attracted support from sporting names including Dame Laura Kenny, Sir Jason Kenny, Dame Sarah Storey, Britain’s most successful Paralympian, double Olympic champion Tom Pidcock, Ed Clancy, gymnast Beth Tweddle, and Steve Cram.

They are joined by Sir Brendan Foster, founder of the Great North Run, Olympic medallists Laura Weightman and Marc Scott, Paralympic medallists Susie Rodgers, Krysten Coombs and Rob Davies, and a new generation of athletes such as Paris 2024 Paralympic champion Poppy Maskill.

On Tuesday, northern mayors Oliver Coppard, Kim McGuinness, Tracy Brabin, David Skaith and Luke Campbell will hold an event at the Olympic Legacy Park in Sheffield to discuss how the north of England can develop a “credible, deliverable vision” for the games.

In their statement, athletes say a northern-hosted Games would be “a moment of renewal and confidence for the entire United Kingdom”.

It read: “As Olympians, Paralympians, athletes and competitors who have had the honour of representing Great Britain and competing on the highest stage, we write to express our strong and united support for the north of England to host a future Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The legacy of the London 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics showed what is possible when the country comes together behind a shared ambition. Now is the moment to build on that legacy.

“Many of us have seen first-hand that the north of England has the ability to host a box-office Games: world-class venues, experienced event hosts and a passion for sport like no other place.”

It continues: “Few moments unite the country like the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We have felt that unity – in packed stadiums, in town squares, in schools and living rooms across the country.

“A ‘Great North’ Games would be a national Games. It would bring the country together in common purpose. It would showcase the very best of Great Britain.

“We believe that hosting a Games in the north of England in 2040 would be a moment of renewal and confidence for the entire United Kingdom.

“We are proud to add our voices to this vision and to support a northern Games that would inspire generations to come.”

The findings of the initial assessment will determine whether a more detailed technical feasibility study is undertaken to examine costs, benefits and viability of hosting the Games.

Any final decision on if and when a future bid might take place would be for the British Olympic Association and British Paralympic Association to take.