Tata Kids of Steel introduces the next generation to tri
1,000 youngsters experience tri in the Olympic borough
One thousand local school children flocked to Newham Leisure Centre yesterday to take part in Tata Kids of Steel – a free and fully equipped mini-triathlon event, giving school children a fun, new experience of the fast growing, modern and dynamic sport of triathlon.
The Newham event was organised by British Triathlon in partnership with Tata Steel and follows research into the positive effects exercise has on a child’s development. The scientific review by international expert Dr Richard Bailey has been released yesterday and shows compelling evidence that sport and exercise improves the health and well-being of children and is translated into a healthy adult lifestyle.
The research reinforces Tata Steel’s commitment to provide at least 50,000 8-13 year olds with a positive experience of triathlon by the end of 2012. Tata Kids of Steel events are free to enter, accessible to all and geared simply towards encouraging children to have fun and take part, regardless of ability.
Throughout the course of the fun-packed day, children from 16 local schools swam, cycled and ran their way around their very first triathlon.
As well as being given the chance to swim, bike and run under the supervision of staff and volunteers, each child was fitted with the correct size bike and helmet, and given a swim cap, t-shirt and gym sack to help harness the very best of their inner triathlete.
Newham is the launch event in the 2012 Tata Kids of Steel triathlon series.
Throughout the summer, the initiative is visiting 24 locations to give even more youngsters the opportunity to sample triathlon than ever before.
Since launching in 2007, over 35,000 children from over 400 schools have taken part in Tata Kids of Steel events.
2012 Tata Kids of Steel events:
Matt Baird
Editor of Cycling Plus magazine 
