London mayor criticises plans for north of England bid to host Olympics

"A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan said: London is the sporting capital of the world and the mayor has openly expressed his ambition for the capital to be part of a future Olympic and Paralympic Games. 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. Using London's existing world-class infrastructure would help deliver the greenest and most sustainable Games, as well as unlocking huge economic growth both here in London and around the country. Not including the capital in an Olympics bid would be a missed opportunity, and mean our country fails to unleash the full benefits of a UK-wide games."

"The strategic assessment will examine the costs, the socioeconomic benefits to the north, and the bid's chance of success. Rachel Reeves pointed to regeneration plans for the Elland Road stadium, home to Leeds United, as part of the agenda for the north of England."

"Ministers have commissioned an assessment by UK Sport which could inform a bid for the international sporting event in the 2040s. If the campaign were successful, it would be the first time the Olympic Games and Paralympics were hosted in Britain since London 2012."

"Nandy said: London 2012 showed what the Olympics can do for our country. It inspired a generation through sport, attracted"

The mayor of London criticized plans to explore an Olympic bid focused on the north of England, arguing that leaving London out would waste a chance to use existing facilities. Ministers commissioned an assessment by UK Sport to inform a possible bid for the Olympics and Paralympics in the 2040s. A successful campaign would be the first time the Games returned to Britain since London 2012. The mayor’s office said using London’s existing world-class infrastructure would support the greenest and most sustainable Games and unlock economic growth in London and across the country. The assessment will examine costs, socioeconomic benefits to the north, and the bid’s likelihood of success. Ministers from northern constituencies welcomed the plans and cited regeneration and past Olympic impact.

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