Olympians, Paralympians and elite athletes from across the country have united behind the ambition to bring a future Olympic and Paralympic Games to the North of England, adding their names to a joint statement of support for a North of England Games.
The joint statement, signed by more than 40 Olympians, Paralympians and elite athletes, has attracted support from some of Britain's most recognisable 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 leading figures from across British sport, including 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, creating a broad coalition of sporting talent backing the ambition for a future Olympic and Paralympic Games in the North of England.
Their support represents the most significant athlete backing yet for the Great North Games vision and demonstrates growing momentum behind the proposal, as Government and sports governing bodies explore the feasibility of a future Olympic and Paralympic Games hosted across the North.
The support comes at a pivotal moment for the proposal. Earlier this year, Northern mayors and leaders, through The Great North, called on Government to explore the potential for a future Olympic and Paralympic Games hosted across the North of England. Last week, the Government confirmed it would begin an initial strategic assessment into the feasibility of a future Games in the North, marking the first formal step in exploring the opportunity.
The announcement comes ahead of a landmark event at the Olympic Legacy Park in Sheffield, hosted by South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, where Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith, Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire Luke Campbell, athletes, sporting governing bodies and partners will come together to discuss the future of the North of England Olympic and Paralympic ambition.
The event will mark the first major gathering since the Government announced it would explore the feasibility of a Northern-hosted Games and will focus on how the North can develop a credible, deliverable vision for a future bid.
In their statement, athletes describe a Northern-hosted Games as an opportunity to build on the legacy of London 2012, unite the country behind a shared ambition and showcase the very best of Great Britain to the world.
The statement reads:
"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."
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire said:
“Gaining support from these celebrated athletes shows the momentum that is gathering behind our ambition to host future Olympic and Paralympic games in the North.
“The North has proudly seen many of its own take a place on the podium throughout the years. Hosting the games would not only inspire the next generation of northern talent but create a legacy that will benefit our communities for many years to come.”