Great North mayors ask for future UK Summer Olympics in northern England

Eleven northern mayors and former athletes have written to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy requesting that any future UK Summer Olympic Games be hosted in the North of England, saying a northern Games could accelerate regeneration and rebalance the economy.

Eleven northern English mayors and several former athletes have sent a joint request to the UK government asking that any future Summer Olympic Games held in the UK be hosted in the North of England. The request comes from a mayoral collaboration called The Great North and was reported while Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy was attending the Winter Olympics in Italy. Supporters argue a northern-hosted Games could aid regional regeneration, rebalance economic growth and change international perceptions of England. Named supporters in reports include Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, Hull and East Yorkshire mayor Luke Campbell and former long-distance runner Sir Brendan Foster. What is reported: - The Great North collaboration wrote to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy asking for future UK Summer Olympics to be based in northern England. - Eleven political leaders are listed as signatories, and Kim McGuinness is reported as chair of The Great North. - The group framed a northern Games as a way to accelerate regeneration, rebalance the economy and reset international perceptions of England. - Reports name Andy Burnham, Luke Campbell and Sir Brendan Foster among those publicly supporting the call, and include comments from other northern mayors. - Coverage noted Lisa Nandy was in Italy for the Winter Olympics when the letter was sent. Summary: Proponents present a northern-hosted Olympics as a chance to showcase northern cities and landscapes while promoting regional development and fairness. Undetermined at this time.