British government eyes possible bid for Olympics in 2040s

TL;DR

The British government is exploring a bid to host the Olympics and Paralympics in the 2040s. Discussions include assessing costs and benefits, as well as potential bids for other major sporting events in the 2030s.

Key points

UK government exploring Olympic bid for 2040s
Discussions include costs and socioeconomic benefits
Last UK Olympics were in London in 2012
Next Summer Olympics in Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032
Countries interested in 2036 Olympics include India and Germany

FILE - Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street in London on April 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Britain's Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting, from left, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emma Reynolds, and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy leave after a cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London, Tuesday, April 21, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Britain Elections

FILE - Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street in London on April 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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Britain Elections

FILE - Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street in London on April 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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Britain Politics

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Britain Starmer

Former Olympic cyclists Jason and Laura Kenny introduce Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a reception marking St. George's Day at Downing Street, in London, Monday, April 20, 2026. (Phil Noble/Pool Photo via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) LONDON (AP) — The British government wants to get the country “event ready” to potentially host another Olympics. Discussions are happening “about supporting potential bids” for the Olympics and Paralympics in the 2040s, as well as bids for the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup in the 2030s, according to an announcement Wednesday by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. “Initial work examining whether the UK could host the Olympic and Paralympic Games for the first time since London 2012 will assess key factors such as potential cost, socioeconomic benefit and any bid’s chance of success,” the statement read. London has hosted the Summer Olympics three times, most recently in 2012. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said in the announcement that the government aims to “continue attracting the most prestigious events in sport.” The next two Summer Olympics are set: Los Angeles is hosting in 2028 followed by Brisbane, Australia in 2032. There's a long list of countries interested in hosting the 2036 Games. It includes India, Qatar, Turkey, Hungary, Germany, and Chile. \\\_ AP sports:

Q&A

What events is the UK considering bidding for in the 2040s?

The UK is considering bids for the Olympics and Paralympics in the 2040s, along with the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup in the 2030s.

When was the last time the UK hosted the Olympics?

The UK last hosted the Olympics in 2012 in London.

Which countries are interested in hosting the 2036 Olympics?

Countries interested in hosting the 2036 Olympics include India, Qatar, Turkey, Hungary, Germany, and Chile.