The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has voiced strong opposition to government plans exploring a potential Olympic bid from the north of England, arguing that excluding the capital would represent a significant missed opportunity.
Government Assessment Underway
Ministers have commissioned UK Sport to conduct a strategic assessment that could pave the way for a bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the 2040s. If successful, this would mark the first time Britain has hosted the event since London 2012.
A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan emphasised London's status as the sporting capital of the world and the mayor's ambition for the capital to be part of any future Games. The spokesperson stated: "Sadiq believes that a potential country-wide bid, using all the assets we have in the UK, including the publicly owned London Stadium, would deliver the very best possible Olympics."
The mayor's office highlighted that utilising London's existing world-class infrastructure would help deliver the greenest and most sustainable Games while unlocking significant economic growth both in London and across the country. They warned that failing to include London in an Olympic bid would mean the nation misses out on the full benefits of a UK-wide event.
Northern Support for the Bid
The plans have received a warm welcome from two northern ministers: Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, MP for Wigan, and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, MP for Leeds West and Pudsey. Nandy recalled how London 2012 inspired a generation and attracted huge investment, but noted that the north has long been told the Olympics is too big for the region. She declared: "Not any more. It's time the Olympics came north and we showed what we can offer to the world."
Chancellor Reeves expressed full support for bringing the Games back home, stating it would boost the northern growth corridor. She also pointed to stadium regeneration plans, such as at Elland Road in Leeds, which aim to deliver new homes, business opportunities, and public spaces.
Government’s Broader Sports Agenda
The groundwork for a potential Olympic bid coincides with recent government measures to support major sporting events. Labour peer Lord McConnell has been appointed as a ministerial adviser on soft power and major events, drawing on his experience campaigning for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Additionally, a sporting events bill has been introduced to parliament to facilitate bidding for major events.
Boris Johnson, Khan’s predecessor, served as mayor of London during the 2012 Olympics. Los Angeles will host the next summer Games in 2028 for the third time, while London has hosted three times (1908, 1948, 2012), matching Paris (1900, 1924, 2024).
