The Liverpool 2022 Commonwealth Games Bid Team has today applauded the hard-work and immense support of the city, following the disappointing news that it has been unsuccessful in its bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Throughout the journey, the people of Liverpool have come together under the banner of the Commonwealth and shown the world their unique welcome, sports-mad nature and stunning city. The bid process has reinforced the importance for transformation in the city, and the plans that were made throughout the bid will provide a springboard for a host of future developments.
Liverpool 2022 Bid Chairman, Brian Barwick, said: “It is a great shame that our transformational bid for Liverpool to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games has not made it through to the next stage of this bidding process, but we are proud to have put together such a bold plan, and it has been incredible to see the city unite behind a common cause and come together under the banner of the Commonwealth.
“I’d like to congratulate the city of Birmingham on making it to the next phase, and would like to offer this city’s support to the bid as it aims to represent the UK internationally. It will be great to see the Commonwealth Games back in the UK and we wish Birmingham well for the next stage in this process.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the hard-working and super-talented team that put the Liverpool Bid together and am sure in due course a lot of positives will come through for the city from their endeavours.”
Liverpool Mayor, Joe Anderson, added: “I am hugely disappointed Liverpool has not won the UK nomination for Commonwealth Games 2022. I believed our bid was truly excellent and one which deserved to win. We are extremely proud of the work we put in to building a plan for what would have been an exciting and transformational games and a powerful example of the potential of the Northern Powerhouse.
“It was an opportunity to accelerate growth and develop North Liverpool creating thousands of jobs and creating new revenue. We are not afraid to be ambitious and Liverpool is a city which is proud of our pioneering and innovative history as the front door to the commonwealth, including our caring and welcoming people, and a stunning world famous waterfront which was to be the centrepiece of our games.
“I’d like to offer my congratulations to Birmingham and wish them well going forwards.
“I want to also thank Brian Barwick who I appointed as Chair of our Board and Denise Barrett-Baxendale as Deputy Chair for their devotion, dedication and exemplary leadership. Many others contributed and I want to give a special thanks for their energy and commitment. Steve Parry, Beth Tweddle and Tony Bellew showcased some of the best of our sporting prowess and heritage. Garth Dallas, Phil Redmond, Michael Parkinson brought an invaluable contribution and partners such as Merseyside Police and Merseytravel were excellent. Bill Kenwright, Robert Elstone and the Everton FC team were also extremely supportive, as were Liverpool FC, and I want to thank them all. Also, my thanks to Manchester City Council, and Richard Leese, who have proven the strength of the fraternal connection between our two cities.
“I want to pay special tribute to Ron Odunaiya and Mike Kearney alongside all the other staff from Liverpool City Council who gave so much dedication and passion to winning something that would have been so special for Liverpool.
“Finally, I want to thank the Liverpool Echo, Radio Merseyside and all the other Liverpool media who have been supportive of our bid for the games.”