Brexit Britain’s London 2040! Bid to bring Olympics BACK to London begins
Celebrations as Team GB athletes return from Tokyo
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Ministers will engage with the London Mayor to develop a pathway to “bringing the games back to London”. The move comes as Team GBs 65-medal haul in Japan matched the number earned during the Olympics in London in 2012, and is only two short of the record Rio total in 2016.
There were 22 gold medals won – the fourth-best performance by a British team.
While in very early stages, Express.co.uk understands ministers are keen to capitalise on a potential Olympic bid to enhance the UK’s global reputation, especially since Brexit.
Mr Khan will now be working closely with the British Olympic Association, the UK Government and other stakeholders to identify the next steps towards bringing a bid forward within the next 12 months.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London added: “Like many other Londoners, Sadiq has been cheering on the awe-inspiring Team GB over the last couple of weeks.
“The stunning Tokyo games captured the imagination of Londoners, and Sadiq remains committed to exploring hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the future.”
The UK Government also hinted the country’s long and successful track record of staging and bidding major sporting events could spur on a 2036 or 2040 deal.
The UEFA Women’s Euros, Rugby League World Cup and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 are all coming up within the next decade.
A UK Government source added: “The UK has a global reputation for delivering sporting success, especially after London 2012.
“We are always open to future hosting opportunities, especially events that will catapult us onto the world stage.”
They stressed: “We’ve shown the world what we can do at Tokyo 2020 with our fantastic sportsmen and sportswomen making our country proud.”
The IOC has also recently changed its rules so regions or countries can now bid for the Olympics rather than only one city and this could also allow four nations games to take place.
Jamie Stone MP, Liberal Democrat Culture spokesperson, said: “After an absolutely extraordinary performance by our Team GB heroes, it is time we bring the games back home.
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“All four nations hosting the games would be Britain at its best.
“Team GB’s success shows that our nation can be the very best on the world stage.
“It is time to fire up a four nations bid straight away”.
UK Sport, the body that advises the government on major events has already put in some groundwork on a possible bid.
But it would be a first for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to stage the Games in the same city only 24 years apart, after London’s hosting in 2012.
Mr Khan previously announced will look at a bid for a UK-hosted Olympics centred on London in 2036 or 2040 if he is re-elected as the capital’s mayor in May.
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