Manchester’s daring bid for the 2000 Olympics was enthusiastically supported by John Major but behind the scenes ministers and officials were less convinced, National Archives files reveal. Bribes scandal forces Olympics shake-up Read moreThe author asked No 10 that the document be “destroyed after it has been read”. Alex Allan, Major’s principal private secretary, told the prime minister: “A disturbing read but all too plausible. “If this leaks,” a No 10 official wrote on the letter, “it’s dynamite for our chances.”Sydney’s ultimate victory meant defeat for Manchester. It was heart-breaking, Major wrote in a consolatory note to Bob Scott, the chairman of Manchester’s Olympic bid committee.

Source: The Guardian July 17, 2019 22:52 UTC