Birmingham is to be
the UK’s official candidate city for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Culture
Secretary Karen Bradley has announced.
The city’s bid plans
have impressed the government which believes that, should Birmingham’s bid be
successful, hosting the Games would provide value for the public money that
would be invested and have benefits for Birmingham, the West Midlands and the UK
as a whole.
Secretary of State
for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Karen Bradley said: "The
Commonwealth Games in Birmingham would be brilliant. It would showcase the best
of Britain to the world and make the entire country proud. Not only would it
help grow the economy in the West Midlands and beyond, it would also leave a
strong sports legacy, by upgrading facilities to benefit both elite athletes
and the local community.
"Birmingham’s
bid has the backing of the government and our focus now is to work alongside
Birmingham’s excellent bid team and Commonwealth Games
England to put forward the strongest possible bid to the Commonwealth Games
Federation, while ensuring that we get maximum value for money for the
taxpayer.
"The UK has
fantastic expertise in staging major sporting events and it would be a
privilege to welcome athletes and supporters from across the Commonwealth to
Birmingham and the West Midlands in 2022."
Birmingham’s bid uses competition
venues in Solihull, Coventry, Sandwell and Leamington Spa as well as training
venues across the region, bringing benefits not just to the city, but to the
wider West Midlands.
Sitting at the heart
of the UK, and representing the diversity of the Commonwealth, Birmingham is
well positioned to attract people to the Games and to ensure that the benefits
of hosting extend from the city and region, to across the UK.
Birmingham’s bid
showcases its youth and diversity alongside a world class reputation for sport
and culture. With 95% of Birmingham’s proposed competitive venues already in
existence this is a low risk, high quality proposition that’s well placed to
meet the challenge of delivering the Games within five years.
Ian Metcalfe, Chair
of Commonwealth Games England said: "Anyone who experienced Manchester in
2002, London in 2012 or Glasgow in 2014 will know just how special major
sporting events in the UK can be. I am sure that Birmingham can stage an
unforgettable Commonwealth Games in 2022.
"Birmingham’s
exciting bid shows that the Games will not only deliver a sport programme of
the highest calibre but also provide an amazing platform for the country as a
whole.
"Alongside the
Birmingham 2022 team, we look forward to presenting the strongest possible bid
to the Commonwealth Games Federation in the hope that we can welcome the whole
Commonwealth movement to England for the Games in 2022."
The government’s
decision follows an extensive three phase assessment process that has tested
Birmingham’s hosting credentials. This included being subjected to scrutiny
from an independent assessment panel and officials from the Department for
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the submission of two formal applications
and two site inspection visits.
Previous major
sporting events hosted in the UK, such as the London 2012 Olympic and
Paralympic Games, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2015 Rugby World
Cup, have all shown how major sporting events can generate a positive return on
investment.
Work on the expected
cost of hosting the Commonwealth Games 2022, if Birmingham was selected, is
ongoing. Should Birmingham win the right to host the Games, the government will
present to Parliament a full budget, once it has been finalised. This budget will
include staging, the cost of constructing and upgrading facilities, security
and a prudent contingency. If the bid is successful, the government will be the
major funder with Birmingham City Council contributing 25 per cent to the cost
of the Games. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport would manage
the financing of the Games and will bear down heavily on costs to ensure value
for public expenditure.
The government,
Birmingham 2022 bid team and Commonwealth Games England are finalising the
formal bid submission. Commonwealth Games England will submit the bid to the
Commonwealth Games Federation tomorrow.
