London Mayor Sadiq Khan has revealed his vision for London to become the first city to host the Olympic Games four times. He has already reached out to Keir Starmer, seeking government support to kickstart what would be a historic bid for London to host the games in 2040.
Many agree that the legacy benefits of London 2012 are still being felt over a decade later, but is it time to start the process all over again? Should it just be London or is this a golden opportunity to host a UK-wide event that reaches communities around the country? And what should a bid look like if it comes? In the first of two new blogs, we opened up our contacts book and spoke to some experts in the sector to get their views.
We’ve got the infrastructure already, so we don’t have to spend billions
“I think the UK could bid to host another Games in 2040. We’ve got the infrastructure already, so we don’t need to spend billions on infrastructure like we did in 2012. We don’t need to do that again and that’s something that Paris has proven, because they’re using existing buildings.
There’s also the ‘soft power’ potential of the country to be in the global spotlight. It does a lot to amplify a country within the world and the global space. So, I think it would be a positive move to host it, but the population would have to get behind it as well.
I think if the UK does bid to host in 2040, we need to ramp up the legacy aspect more. Spirit of 2012 has done a fantastic job, with a decent budget behind it, but there needs to be more awareness and more more value placed on that. It needs to be a long-term project that ties into government agendas as well.”
Susie Rogers MBE, 6-time Paralympic medallist
My main issue is ‘can’t you guys think of doing anything else?’
This would make it ‘just’ 28 years since our last London Olympics – which may seem a lot – more than a Generation – but not necessarily in Olympic and Paralympic terms. Just 6 more iterations would have passed if we held it in 2040. It was 66 years between the games of 1948 and 2012. Now there is an argument that the closeness of the two bids – if it was in London – would still mean the 2012 facilities were broadly available and up to date for use – but I’m not sure if that’s enough of a reason.
My main issue is ‘can’t you guys think of doing anything else?’. I feel right now it would be a desire for the memory of better times that leads us and not a true passion for the Games themselves. We really do need to get our confidence and vigour back on a much deeper level before we step on to the world stage in this way again.
I would rather see us go for something global we haven’t done in recent years – The World Cup. High profile, manageable, potentially profitable and still with huge possibilities around community involvement, be it sport, education, culture. Simultaneously I’d like us to support research, development and the necessary years of growth for a new kind global event we could send around the world. Wouldn’t that be something! Though I think if we took all the principles and ambitions and agendas and hopes and ideas we had for London 2012 and put them in a 2040 context, with 2040 people, that wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
Martin Green CBE, London 2012 Head of Ceremonies
It would be incredible for the UK’s future generations
London 2012’s motto was ‘Inspire a Generation’. Millions of young people were involved in London 2012’s education programme. That generation will be approximately 40 by 2040. Many will have their own school-aged children. It would be incredible for the UK’s future generations to benefit from the excitement, inspiration and investment of a home Games and to feel the impact in their schools, homes and communities.
I would love to see another bid in the next 30 years. Whether 2040 is right would depend on finances. If bidding, I think the UK should consider: how we maximise existing infrastructure, both in and outside London to ensure impact beyond the capital; and how we use the Games to improve community cohesion and the physical wellbeing of key target groups.
Kathryn McColl, CEO of Hark London, former Education Manager of London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
The centre of any bid should be accessibility
“The centre of any bid should be accessibility. Where venues, sports, and everything that comes with hosting the Games can be accessed by all. Imagine a Summer where the Olympics and Paralympics have complete parity in investment, profile, and engagement. We can deliver this.”
Adam Blaze, Chief Executive, Activity Alliance
If we were to host the games again, I would really like to see a multi-city approach tested
“Now is the perfect time to be thinking about the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2040, to look at how we can bring the magic of London 2012 back to the UK. It would provide an opportunity to build on the success and ensure legacy benefits are realised across the UK not just in London. The games provide a fantastic driver for regeneration, improving infrastructure and growth, and opportunities for people – particularly those from traditionally underserved communities.
If we were to host the games again, I would really like to see a multi-city approach tested, to ensure the legacy benefits can be realised across the country and that the incredible Olympic/Commonwealth venues we have already across the UK are used. That way, money can be invested in all important transport infrastructure to better connect the country and to improving the life chances of people across the country through high quality, education, skills and jobs.”
Layla Conway, Senior Communities Manager at London Legacy Development Corporation
Stay tuned for more expert opinions next week in part two, but for now – over to you. What do you think of a 2040 Games in the UK? Let us know on social media #UKGames2040