Mr Major’s Comments on the Manchester Olympics Bid – 17 February 1993

Below is the text of Mr Major’s comments on the Manchester Olympics bid, held during an interview in London on Wednesday 17th February 1993.

QUESTION:

[Mr Major was asked why he was supporting the Manchester Olympics bid].

PRIME MINISTER:

For several reasons really. Firstly, I would very much like to see the Olympic Games here at the millennium. I think it would be a marvellous start for the next century and I think it offers tremendous opportunities were we able to achieve the Games. But secondly, Manchester has worked extremely hard. They have tried before to get the Olympic Games there. On this occasion, they had the full support of the Government and I believe they deserve it.

QUESTION:

[Mr Major was asked if the Government would be helping to fund the bid].

PRIME MINISTER:

In order for the bid to go forward we have to guarantee that the facilities will be provided. Nobody wants to get to the year 2000 and find the Olympic Games facilities aren’t there. I don’t think there is any doubt that there will be a very substantial private sector commitment – that is already becoming apparent – but there is a large Government financial commitment as well.

QUESTION:

[Mr Major was asked about who would fund any shortfall].

PRIME MINISTER:

I think one needs to put this in context. We are talking of expenditure that builds up to the millennium over the next eight years or so. It isn’t an expenditure just for one single event. At the conclusion of the Olympic Games, not only will there be the tremendous gain of having the Olympic Games here, we will also have seen the renovation of the whole of East Manchester. Much of that expenditure would have needed to be undertaken in any event and in addition to that of course, we will have the enduring legacy of some first-class sporting facilities in the north-west available to people in the north-west and indeed across the country as a whole.