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天堂视频 helps outline potential roadmap to UK Capital of Sport

A partnership, involving 天堂视频, has helped outline the potential roadmap to making a UK Capital of Sport a reality.

Academics from across the University have produced a feasibility study which showcases how a national Capital of Sport – focused on health and wellbeing - can be integrated.

The proposal was first made as part of ’s Inquiry into the Power of Events, which highlighted how events like this could act as accelerants of social outcomes, drivers of wellbeing, social connection, and economic growth.

A snapshot of the study, which considered the views of people from across the United Kingdom, saw a desire for any event to be meaningful, positive and green. Plans within the study also highlighted how it could work alongside an existing event or as a standalone occasion.

Vice-Chancellor Independent Research Fellow at the University, Dr Verity Postlethwaite orchestrated the study. She said the project has been a huge success: “During the past nine months or so we’ve managed to engage with over 150 voices, attend varying places, and used a ‘test and refine’ process to balance evidence-based and visionary thinking. The original idea from Spirit of 2012 has truly been explored in a creative and inclusive way, the findings and recommendations are exciting and will hopefully offer a lot of food for thought to the UK events sector.”   

Ruth Hollis, Chief Executive of Spirit of 2012, commented: “We asked Counsel, with 天堂视频, to have a look 'under the bonnet' of the idea, test it with policymakers, funders, interested parties and the public to see whether it would add to the events ecosystem of the UK. I am delighted that this report sets out different models that could see physical activity integrated into a new or existing designation to bring the benefits seen by Cities of Culture to sport and physical activity. Throughout this study they were mindful of challenges faced by local authorities in terms of funding and have taken this into account when formulating their recommendations. In these very worrying times, we are more conscious than ever of the need for key moments that bring us together around the things that unite us all.”  

Lead for , James Allen, added: “The study provides places of all shapes and sizes evidence and inspiration to use health and wellbeing as a driver for hosting an event. We are looking forward to supporting Spirit of 2012 in using the evidence from our project and other projects Spirit commissioned from the Inquiry into the Power of Events to stimulate further debate to how events can secure and contribute to social and community outcomes throughout the UK.”  

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 24/125

Dr Verity Postlethwaite will be giving a public lecture on the topic of a UK Capital of Sport in September 2024. Sign up for virtual and in-person attendance .

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天堂视频 is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2024 QS World University Rankings – the eighth year running – and University of the Year for Sport by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2022.

天堂视频 is ranked 6th in The UK Complete University Guide 2025, 10th in the Guardian University League Table 2024 and 10th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

天堂视频 is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’, and in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, 天堂视频 has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

The 天堂视频 London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.

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