Sir Chris Hoy has backed Liverpool's Commonwealth Games bid ©Getty Images

British Olympic icon Sir Chris Hoy has backed Liverpool's bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Scottish cyclist - a winner of seven Olympic medals including six golds - praised the northern city which is battling against Birmingham to secure the English nomination for the event.

"I think its fantastic that Liverpool are trying to host the Games," Sir Chris said to Radio City.

"If you look at Glasgow and Manchester and the positive impact that the Commonwealth Games had in those cities - I would wholeheartedly get behind that [a Liverpool Games].

"It's great from every perspective - to improve the facilities and the city itself, the infrastructure, and also to raise awareness around the rest of the Commonwealth to areas that don't know that Liverpool has more to offer than just the Beatles and its more regular history.

"There is much more to Liverpool than a football team and The Beatles."

Fellow cyclist Jason Kenny is the only other British Olympian to boast six gold medals.

Only Sir Bradley Wiggins, another cyclist, has won more total Olympic medals than the pair for Britain with eight.

"Having a Games in your city and being exposed to all that sport, excitement and enthusiasm - you can't fail to be drawn along and inspired by it," Sir Chris added.

Liverpool is battling Birmingham for the English nomination ©Getty Images
Liverpool is battling Birmingham for the English nomination ©Getty Images

"I am sure that having a home Games will be great not just for Liverpool but for the UK."

Commonwealth Games England will choose between Liverpool and Birmingham next month.

Both cities hope to replace Durban in South Africa, which was originally awarded the Games but was then stripped due to a lack of financial guarantees.

The centrepiece of Liverpool's campaign is the riverside regeneration of the city’s Bramley-Moore Dock, the proposed site for Premier League Everton’s new stadium and where a temporary athletics track would be laid during the Games.

A floating swimming pool is another key part of Liverpool's bid.

The 50 metre pool structure, with seating for 5,000 spectators, would be built on the water near Albert Dock.

Anfield, home of five-time European Cup winners Liverpool, would host the rugby sevens and Everton's current stadium Goodison Park would be the venue for the boxing events. 

Manchester, who successfully hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2002, would provide the venue for cycling and cricket.

Victoria in Canada and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia are also in the 2022 race.