30 January 2023 , 21:27
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Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has teased a possible bid to host another Olympics in the capital.
He spoke on the prospect of London welcoming the world for a fortnight of sporting brilliance once again in 2040, less than 30 years after the success of 2012.
"We're working with colleagues to get a bid explored. 2032 and 2036 are a done deal,” the mayor told MyLondon. “The attraction of a deal for 2040 for London is it would be the greenest Olympics ever - watch this space."
London 2012 was received incredibly well as thousands of fans from around the world descended on English shores for the showpiece event. Plenty of new champions were crowned while megastars cemented their legacy as the greatest in their respective sports.
The Mayor of London believes a potential Olympic Games could help to address some of London's long-term transport and infrastructure issues, just like London 2012, which saw big developments in the East London town of Stratford.
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Khan previously stated that should London be awarded another Games, the aim would be to host the most environmentally friendly Olympics in history. The 52-year-old told Sky Sports News last July that he wanted to show the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the world that a mega sporting event could be held with green credentials, with the intent to reuse many of the venues used in 2012.
"We're working on a plan to bring the Olympics back to London, and I'll tell you why," said Khan. "We've seen over the last few days the consequences of climate change in relation to the heatwaves, in relation to the grass fires.
"What we need is to make sure future games are green and what we're doing is working on a plan to have the greenest games ever. The great thing about London is you don't expend carbon on building new stadiums, new places to do cycling, new places to do swimming, because we've got all the kit. And so watch this space."
The UK government is optimistic about London’s chances of hosting another Games. This is due to the country's track record of hosting major sporting events, with another example as recently as last summer’s excellent Commonwealth Games.
The 2012 Olympics was a great success and Khan wants to replicate that in 2040 (Getty Images)“The UK has a long and successful track record of staging major sporting events that have the power to deliver wide-ranging economic benefits,” a UK Government source said.
“These events bring the nation together, inspire greater participation and enhance our global reputation and a future Olympic Games could do just that. We’ve shown the world what we can do with London 2012 with our fantastic sportsmen and sportswomen making our country proud.”
During the 2012 Olympics, Team GB earned 65 medals and matched the feat at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. Should another Games take place in the London 17 years from now, a new crop of British athletes will be keen to make their mark and become national heroes.