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Stoke-on-Trent is named European City of Sport Stoke-on-Trent is named European City of Sport
(about 9 hours later)
Stoke-on-Trent has been named the UK's European City of Sport for 2016.Stoke-on-Trent has been named the UK's European City of Sport for 2016.
The title was handed out by ACES Europe, a not-for-profit group based in Brussels. The initiative is supported by the European Commission.The title was handed out by ACES Europe, a not-for-profit group based in Brussels. The initiative is supported by the European Commission.
The city council said the title was won with the support of Stoke's two major football clubs - Stoke City and Port Vale - as well as other sporting bodies and its university. ACES Europe said no additional money would be given for the honour, but the city council was able to apply for EU funding.
Sport England said the title was "well-deserved". The aim of the title was to get more people playing sport, and ultimately tackling obesity, the council said.
'Major coup' 'Great award'
Terry Follows, from Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said the city had a "fantastic sporting pedigree". ACES Europe vice president John Swanson said it was a "great award" and up to the city to decide what to do with it.
"To be given this award is a major coup," he said. The title was won with the support of Stoke's two major football clubs - Stoke City and Port Vale - as well as other sporting bodies and its university, the council said.
Previous recipients of the title in the UK include Gateshead and Cardiff. The authority said it hoped the title would attract more visitors to Stoke.
A series of events is being planned for next year to celebrate the city being awarded the accolade.
Stoke is one of several European cities to be awarded the title, which is announced annually, alongside a Capital of Sport accolade, which has gone to Turin in Italy.Stoke is one of several European cities to be awarded the title, which is announced annually, alongside a Capital of Sport accolade, which has gone to Turin in Italy.
There is a maximum of one city in the UK awarded the title each year if it meets the required criteria.There is a maximum of one city in the UK awarded the title each year if it meets the required criteria.
Stoke's sporting connectionsStoke's sporting connections
Applicant cities are judged on their sporting facilities, residents' level of participation, the success of local teams and sporting events. Applicant cities are judged on their sporting facilities, residents' level of participation, the success of local teams and sporting events. It is the first time a British city has been awarded the title in three years.
It is the first time a British city has been awarded the title in three years. Sport England said the title was "well-deserved". Mr Swanson said the decision to award the title to Stoke was "unanimous".
The council said it hoped the title would attract more visitors to Stoke and increase sports participation.
Sport England chairman Nick Bitel said the award was well-deserved.
"I am confident this will make a real difference to sport in the area," he added.
John Swanson, vice-president of ACES Europe, said the decision to award the title to Stoke was "unanimous".
"We witnessed a great deal of passion and commitment to regenerate the city," he said."We witnessed a great deal of passion and commitment to regenerate the city," he said.
The European Commission said it welcomed the ACES Europe award initiative and supported it with EU grants.The European Commission said it welcomed the ACES Europe award initiative and supported it with EU grants.