Its failure was due to a number of factors, including a perceived lack of support by the British Government for the bid as well as the international relations that the UK had at the time with South Africa and the United States.

Howell had returned from touring Eastern European countries to promote the bid in order to conduct discussions with IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch.

[5] Olympic Stadium - opening/closing ceremonies, athletics Olympic Sports Halls - badminton, boxing, fencing, gymnastics, handball, judo, table tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, modern pentathlon (fencing) Birmingham Velodrome - cycling Edgbaston Priory - tennis Birmingham Leisure Pool - swimming, diving, water polo, synchronised swimming, modern pentathlon (swimming) Stoneleigh Park - equestrian, archery, modern pentathlon (running, riding) Perry Park - basketball, hockey National Shooting Centre - shooting National Water Sports Centre - canoeing, rowing National Yachting Centre - yachting Villa Park - football St. Andrew's Stadium - football The Hawthorns - football Highfield Road - football It was anticipated that a new Olympic village would be constructed as opposed to using existing buildings in order to facilitate security precautions being built into the new properties.

[6] Birmingham began to host international sporting events in order to boost its profile as a potential city for the 1992 Olympics.

In doing so, the city has sought Government support to enable it to meet the requirements of the Olympic Charter and to help Birmingham secure the nomination to host the Games.

"[8] Shortly prior to the IOC vote there was a boycott by 21 countries of the 1986 Commonwealth Games in protest against Thatcher's ongoing support of maintaining sporting links with South Africa.