Manchester benefits from Olympic and Paralympic Games

Manchester benefited financially and socially from the London Games

A new report suggests that Manchester has benefited more from the Olympic and Paralympic Games than any UK city outside London.

The report, which will be considered by Manchester City Council's Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Committee, comes as the city prepares to celebrate its 2012 Games heroes at a special event on 26 October.

It details the many ways Manchester benefitted from, and contributed to, the Olympic and Paralympic Games including:

  • More than 570,000 people watched the Olympic and Paralympic Games at the Live Site in Exchange Square.

  • Some 370,000 spectators watched Olympic football matches at Old Trafford, generating an estimated economic impact of £23 million.

  • Around 550 athletes and officials were based in Manchester during the pre-Games training period, generating an estimated economic impact of £1.2 million.

  • Greater Manchester-based athletes accounted for more than 40 per cent of all Team GB medals, including 11 Olympic and 16 Paralympic golds.

  • More than 1,000 Manchester staff and volunteers supported the operation of the Games.

  • Manchester secured more than £3.9 million investment from Sport England's Olympic Legacy Programme in facilities including the National Cycling Centre, Amaechi Basketball Centre, improvements to Alexandra Park (Whalley Range Football Club) and Moss Side Boxing Club.

  • More than 109,000 people took part in mass participation sports events in Manchester including the Bupa Great Manchester Run and Skyride.

  • The Wythenshawe Games, the area's own community version of the Games, saw almost 5,000 people take part in 23 sports.