If Britain takes the plunge it's either us or Brum
Liverpool has passed the first major set of hurdles in its bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Alongside just one other city - Birmingham - it has been asked to come up with further plans ahead of decision by Britain on whether it will make a formal bid for the showpiece event.
The games had been due to be staged in Durban, South Africa, but it pulled out because of the £467 million cost.
Birmingham and Liverpool have two fantastic sets of plans and either city would stage a games to remember
Sports Minister Tracey Crouch announced today that both Liverpool and Birmingham have passed the preliminary assessment phase in the UK city selection process for a potential 2022 Commonwealth Games bid.
The DCMS, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said both cities have been the subject of 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.
A DCMS spokesman said: “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 which meets CGF requirements and which would leave a legacy for their city, the region and the UK.
“The panel found that Birmingham and Liverpool’s current planning demonstrates sufficient merit that both cities be given the opportunity to further develop their proposals over the coming weeks.”
Birmingham and Liverpool will now undertake further, more detailed work on the cost, practicability and delivery of their plans with both cities asked to submit final proposals to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in August.
Liverpool had already launched a bid for the 2026 games before Durban pulled out.
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In early September the independent assessment panel will make a recommendation to the government on a preferred city before the government then makes 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.
Ms 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.
“We have a great track record of hosting the biggest events in sport in the UK and I am sure that if we were to host the Games in 2022 the British people would give a warm welcome to the world and get right behind the event.”
Commonwealth Games England Chief Executive Paul Blanchard said: “An English Commonwealth Games in 2022 would be an inspirational event and create a lasting legacy for the whole country. Five years ago this week, the country was gripped by London 2012, the best Olympic and Paralympic Games ever staged. Then in 2014 the UK hosted the memorable Commonwealth Games in Glasgow showing beyond doubt what a spectacular success an English games would be.
“Birmingham and Liverpool have two fantastic sets of plans and either city would stage a games to remember for athletes and spectators alike. There is still a huge amount of work to be done by both Government and the cities themselves but what we have seen so far promises some very exciting times ahead.”
Liverpool’s bid would see an opening ceremony at Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium, with a potential Everton stadium on Bramley Moor Dock used for the main athletics events. A new international swimming pool would be built close to the Pier Head, with cycling and some events taking place in Manchester.
