Sadiq Khan today laid out his ambitious vision to make London the “undisputed” sporting capital of the world.
The Mayor said he wanted to lure even more major global events to the capital to earn the status of the number one international stage.
This year London will host the Athletics World Championships, next month’s world heavyweight boxing showdown between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko and, in cricket, the Champions Trophy and Women’s World Cup final.
Mr Khan has already had talks with Tour de France officials to try to bring it back to London and transatlantic discussions to attract more American sports to the capital. Already this year the O2 has hosted NBA basketball and four NFL American football games are lined up for the autumn.
Talks are under way to bring Major League Baseball to the London Stadium.
Longer term, Mr Khan wants an NFL franchise to be based permanently in the capital. He said: “Since I’ve become Mayor, I’ve made it that we have to use all the strings on the bow to make sure that London is the greatest city in the world and sport is part of doing that.”
The Mayor said London would need government backing if it was to bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
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