Andy Murray of Great Britain kisses the Men’s singles trophy after his win at Wimbledon. Picture: Getty Images Source: Supplied
MELBURNIANS may think they live in the world’s sporting capital but a biennial global award has handed the honour to London.
The English capital was this week named the world’s ultimate sport city for 2014, robbing Melbourne of an award it won in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
Melbourne was judged the best sport city with a “large population’’ and rated best in the world for venues and event strategy at the SportBusiness International Convention in Turkey.
DO YOU THINK MELBOURNE’S IS THE WORLD’S SPORTING CAPITAL? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW
Sydney was nowhere to be seen on the list but New Zealand neighbour Auckland outperformed Melbourne with awards in four categories including best home-grown event with NRL rugby nines judged better than AFL.
Despite Melbourne missing the top gong, Premier Denis Napthine said the city was “renowned for its sporting venues and events’’ and “clearly the true sporting capital of Australia and the world’’.
“We not only have the best stadiums and the best sporting precinct right in the heart of Melbourne, we also have the biggest blockbuster matches whether they be the Boxing Day Test, the AFL Grand Final, the Spring Racing Carnival and Melbourne Cup, the Australian Grand Prix or the Australian Open tennis,’’ he said.
“And this is simply naming a few of our regular events.’’
Dr Napthine said Melbourne would next year have even more reason to celebrate its sports standing when it hosts the Cricket World Cup.
But opposition sports spokesman John Eren said Melbourne risked losing its title as Australian sporting capital to Sydney unless it booked more major events.
“The government has dropped the ball on sport in Victoria...we’re now playing second fiddle to a number of sporting countries,’’ he said.
Victoria Events Industry Council chief Dianne Smith called on the government to prioritise funding for key events throughout the state.
“We urge the government to leverage this international award for the benefit of Victoria by reaffirming its financial commitment to our key major events and by exploring new ways of helping regional Victoria secure events,’’ he said.
It is the second time straight London has won the award and it was also named best host city, best public sports interest and best marketing and branding.
Last time London was named the world’s sporting capital it was fresh from hosting the 2012 Olympic Games.
It routed Melbourne this time on the strength of events such as the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, FA Cup soccer and Test cricket at Lords.
Melbourne’s success at the awards, announced at a ceremony in Turkey this week, comes on the back of the Australian Open tennis and golf, spring racing, Rip Curl pro surfing, F1 Grand Prix and MotoGP.
peter.rolfe@news.com.au
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