London Mayor Boris Johnson targets more sporting events for London

Mayor Boris Johnson has thrown his full backing behind Events for London, the organisation set up to attract major sporting and cultural events to the capital.

Speaking at London House in Beijing, Johnson said: "There is no doubt about it – London is right up there with Beijing and New York to host top international sporting events. We can provide world-class Olympic training facilities, we have world-class theatre and culinary offerings and more importantly, we have the hunger to improve on this reputation. That is why Events for London is now tasked with bringing even more Olympic and non-Olympic sports to the city. The message is clear: sporting bodies will find us an open, accessible and more important, welcoming city."

Events for London is a recently created partnership between Visit London, and the London Development Agency. It will help event organisers and sponsors to maximise the impact, audience and benefits of holding major sporting and cultural events in London.

David Hornby, Visit London commercial director said: "London is fast becoming the world's most exciting major events destination. The Events for London project within Visit London provides us with a key strategic role in driving not only economic benefit to the capital but also helps us to engage new audiences for sport and inspire a new generation to participate. We are passionate about sport in London and that leads to inspiring events in our city."

Commenting on London's strength as a destination for major events, Sophie Goldschmidt, Vice President, NBA EMEA said: "The NBA is thrilled to be bringing basketball back to London's O2 Arena on 12 October this year with a game between the New Jersey Nets and Miami Heat. We plan to extend the phenomenal success of last year's game by including a Central Court weekend at London's famous South Bank from 10-12 October. It's just one of the ways that London can make a sporting event a city-wide celebration. I would recommend any sporting bodies thinking about an event destination to put London at the top of the list."

Current Events for London projects include:

  • London Grand Prix Athletics (annual)
  • The return of NBA Europe Live (2008)
  • NFL Game return (2008)
  • The X Games (2009)
  • ICC World Twenty20 Cricket (2009)
  • World Artistic Gymnastics Championships (2009)
  • ATP World Tour Final in 2009 and 3 subsequent years
  • World Badminton championships (2011)