Handy for Nandy – The Sequel

By Michael Weadock, May 2026

I was struck by one comment whilst reading plenty of articles and posts following the Government’s announcement they will be exploring a bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games focused on the north of England. The comment was from Dame Sarah Storey on LinkedIn. As I think Dame Sarah should be a key member of the new organising committee, I thought it was well worth considering. She highlighted how much of the coverage focused exclusively on the Olympics"*. She mentioned how London 2012 organisers got it right when always talking about both the Olympics and Paralympics or simply used the shorthand of ‘The Games’.

I have taken the comments on board. So, here is my list of venues for the potential North of England Paralympic Games.  

Birmingham & The West Midlands Hub

Para Athletics – The Alexander Stadium, Birmingham

Judo & Taekwondo – NEC Birmingham

Badminton – National Indoor Arena, Birmingham

Shooting – Aston Hall, Birmingham

Wheelchair Fencing – Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Wheelchair Tennis – The Priory Club, Birmingham

Table Tennis – NEC Arena, Birmingham

North East, North Yorkshire & Humberside Hub

Road Cycling – Redcar & Cleveland

Powerlifting – The Glasshouse, Gateshead

Sitting Volleyball – Newcastle Arena

Wheelchair Handball – Hull Arena

Yorkshire Hub

Para Triathlon – Roundhay Park, Leeds

Goalball – Leeds Arena

Blind Football – Millennium Square, Leeds

Boccia – Sheffield Arena 

North West Hub

Wheelchair Rugby – Liverpool Arena

Equestrian – Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool

Ceremonies – Old Trafford, Manchester

Para Swimming – Aquatic Centre, Manchester

Track Cycling – Velodrome, Manchester

Wheelchair Basketball – Manchester Arena

Para Climbing – Albert Square, Manchester

East Midlands Hub

Rowing – National Watersports Centre, Nottingham

Canoeing – National Watersports Centre, Nottingham

Archery – Trent Bridge, Nottingham

Now, to the feedback we have received on our original list. A few people noticed the inclusion of sports like snooker, netball and karate. We’re trying to imagine a Games that could be 22 years away, so I’ve tried to second guess how the International Olympic Committee might move forward. 

Someone asked me why I haven’t included Flag Football or Lacrosse which will both be new sports in Los Angeles in 2028. I needed to leave a bit of wiggle room for eventually including the Darlington Arena in my hometown!

The theme of the Opening Ceremony also cropped up. It would need to include The Beatles and Oasis. I wonder whether the split ceremony idea that Milan/Cortina employed used should be adapted and the flame could be lit by Manchester’s Keely Hodgkinson and Jason Kenny. Warrington’s 25-time World Darts Champion Luke Littler would be part of the torch relay. Maybe we need to find a venue for Olympic darts?!  

And, of course members of the media, thinking only of themselves, cried that there was no Main Press Centre and International Broadcast Centre in my plan. So, I have subsequently identified the Co-Op Arena in Manchester as the ideal location. For the Games we will call it the City of Manchester Arena. 

Remember, it’s just a bit of fun, but the potential is there to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games to big centres like Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham, Nottingham and Newcastle. But, equally important is the opportunity to bring the Games to Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Hull, York, Gateshead, Redcar, Saltburn, North Wales and the Lake District. 

It truly could be an Olympic and Paralympic Games for the north of England

* (To be fair, John also mentioned it in our latest podcast!)