Liverpool’s Games bid clears latest hurdle

Liverpool’s bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games has passed the preliminary assessment phase in the UK city selection process.

Along with Birmingham, Liverpool has received inspection visits in the last few weeks attended by an independent assessment panel, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) representatives and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport officials.

Some details of Liverpool’s bid were released in June. They include Everton’s proposed Bramley Moore Dock stadium as the main venue, swimming at a new pool in the dock system, and some showpiece athletics events at the Pier Head. The bid is supported by Manchester, with T20 cricket and track cycling to be held at Old Trafford and the Manchester Velodrome respectively.

Bid chairman Brian Barwick said: This is fantastic news for the entire city, region and our bid partner Manchester and is testament to the quality of work and huge efforts of the bid team, the city councils and all our partners over the last few months.

“We are now in the home stretch in the race to persuade government that our Liverpool-Manchester partnership will be ground-breaking for the Commonwealth Games, while also financially sound and good for the UK.  Our plan is to be responsible, inspirational, and transformational.”

Durban had been selected to host the 2022 Games, only to withdraw, leading those cities preparing 2026 bids to move plans forward. Victoria in Canada has launched its official bid, while other claims could come from Australia and Malaysia. The English rivals are believed to be favourites, however.

The assessment panel has recommended to government that both cities have sufficiently developed a clear initial vision as to how they would construct a compelling games programme meeting CGF requirements and that would leave a legacy for their city, the region and the UK. Both cities will develop their cases further and submit final proposals to the DDCMS in August.

In early September the panel will make a recommendation to government on a preferred city. Government will then make a final decision whether to submit a formal bid to the Commonwealth Games Federation based on the overall value for money of hosting the Games.

Sports minister Tracey Crouch said: “It is right that a proper and rigorous assessment is carried out before we decide if a formal bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games is submitted.

“I’ve been encouraged by the commitment and enthusiasm that both Birmingham and Liverpool have demonstrated so far in the process but it will be crucial that their final plans demonstrate good value for money, how they would leave a lasting legacy and showcase the best of Britain.”

Your Comments

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Good luck Liverpool.They will need it with a Tory in charge of the West Midlands.

By Elephant

Thank you Elephant, I believe we will all need it soon with the current administration in government.

By Liverpolitis

Took the words right out of my mouth!

By Craig Earley

It’s thanks to this current government’s management of the public finance that we are not bankrupt and can afford to even be in the running to host the games!
So instead of this nonsense of blaming the the conservatives for everything, a little pragmatism wouldn’t go astray

By My Number

My number.It may have escaped your attention but those responsible for the financial mess in 2008 have sacrificed nothing.We were supposed to be all in this together weren’t we? Strange that the boozers in the City of London are still packed to overflowing everyday with expense accounts.Odd that, when the Taxpayer had to save their necks. However,where I live in the North West the roads look like those of a Banana Republic.

By Elephant

The past is bad enough, but with this current disorganised and divisive shower, I do not hold out much hope for the future too! Keep dreaming By my Number, it will soon turn into a nightmare!

By Emperor of the North

It’s thanks to this current government’s management of the pubic finance that we are not bankrupt and can afford to even be in the running to host the games!
So instead of this nonsense of blaming the the conservatives for everything, a little pragmatism wouldn’t go astray

By My Number

This constant bank bashing has got to stop, it wasn’t the finance industry’ that was in charge of the regulation! It was actually the markets that ended up alerting the regulators to short comings of their own regulatory failings!
The banks have more than paid for the mess and now need to be part of the picture rebuilding the country!
The conservatives know this, the others just want to continue the blame and bashing

By My Number

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