Tata Kids Of Steel Hit London To Rio Target
The 2013 Tata Kids of Steel triathlon series events came to an end in Newham this week, marking the end of the 12 event series that has taken place across the UK since June, which saw thousands of children swim, cycle and run the distance the Olympic Torch will travel from London to Rio.
8,297 youngsters took part across all the events, clocking up 9,683,140 metres in all – just over the distance to Rio de Janeiro, where the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will take place.
Tata Kids of Steel, which has enabled nearly 60,000 children to participate in since its launch in 2007, aims to encourage children to adopt a healthier lifestyle through sport and exercise, by working in partnership with the local community.
Tata Steel, in partnership with British Triathlon, took the events to 12 venues for youngsters to ‘give it a tri’ in 2013 to continue the Olympic legacy. The Tata Kids of Steel events are inclusive and accessible to school children aged between eight and 13 regardless of ability or experience.
GB triathlete Vicky Holland, who attended the final event in Newham, said: ‘A huge congratulations to all the Tata Kids of Steel who have taken part in the triathlon series this year. It’s exciting to see the work of British Triathlon and Tata Steel, who are encouraging a new wave of participation at grassroots level through these events, as well as showcasing how fun triathlon is as a sport.’
Sytske Seyffert, director of corporate communications & public affairs at Tata Steel, added: ‘This is the seventh year we have worked alongside the British Triathlon Federation to organise Tata Kids of Steel with nearly 60,000 children experiencing triathlon since the series launched in 2007. This year over 8,000 children from 237 schools took part which is a huge achievement. Many Tata Steel employees volunteered at the events and we are very proud of giving children across the UK and in our local communities the opportunity to have a fun, positive experience of sport, and hopefully inspiring future generations to adopt a healthier lifestyle through sport and exercise.’
