One of the world’s largest and longest running kids’ triathlon series will keep the sport’s Olympic legacy alive in 2015 with a special event at one of London 2012’s most iconic venues. 

The popular Tata - Kids of Steel triathlon series will return for the ninth year with ten events between May and July . And organisers British Triathlon and Tata Steel will be carrying on the work started by London 2012 to “inspire a generation” by holding the final event of this year’s series at the London Aquatics Centre and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Youngsters aged 8 to 13 will have the chance to experience the thrill of swimming in the same pool in which world records were broken during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. They will then cycle around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park before completing their triathlon by running to the finishing line to pick up their unique Tata – Kids of Steel medal.

As well as the London event, the Tata – Kids of Steel triathlon series will be visiting nine other locations across Great Britain and offering up to 10,000 youngsters the chance to see how much fun a mini triathlon can be.

The full list of events is as below:

“Tata – Kids of Steel gives youngsters of all abilities the chance to participate in sport in a fun and safe environment,” said Tata Steel’s Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Sytske Seyffert.“ We’re very excited to be reaching a major milestone of giving more than 70,000 youngsters the opportunity to ’try a tri‘ by the end of 2015, and combining this with an event in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park we hope will inspire many more youngsters to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.”

The Tata – Kids of Steel triathlon events are part of Tata Steel’s Community Partnership Programme, which supports future generations predominantly in the areas in which the company operates.

Josh Jones (18) took part in a Tata – Kids of Steel triathlon event at the age of 12. Josh was a dedicated swimmer and runner from an early age and jumped at the chance to give triathlon a ‘tri’ by attending a Tata – Kids of Steel event in Scunthorpe with his school. Taking part in this non-competitive mini-triathlon event encouraged him to combine his favourite sports by competing in more triathlons. And in 2014 Josh became British Age-Group Triathlon Champion.

“Tata – Kids of Steel reinforced my love of sport and encouraged me to continue training hard”, said Josh. “Now I’m representing Great Britain at age-group level in the sport I love and I hope to become an even stronger athlete in the future.”

Jack Buckner, Chief Executive of British Triathlon, said: “The Tata – Kids of Steel triathlon series is a hugely successful product for the sport, breaking down the traditional barriers to taking part. It is great to continue the long-standing work we do with Tata Steel, and we are also delighted that the series will once again be delivered by our charitable arm, the British Triathlon Trust, which was set up to help us inspire a generation.'

Adam Bowden from Watford, a member of British Triathlon’s UK Sport Lottery funded World-Class Performance Programme and an ambassador for The British Triathlon Trust, added: “I have been competing in triathlon since 2009 and have seen the popularity of the sport rise every year. London is a city full of triathlon history after the London 2012 Olympic Games and to celebrate introducing over 70,000 youngsters to the sport through Tata – Kids of Steel is another landmark moment in my home city.”

Tata Steel has sponsored the British Triathlon Federation since 2006, and is proud to continue its association as its Community Sponsor, supporting Tata – Kids of Steel and having a positive impact on the lives of young people throughout Great Britain.

For further information, please contact:
Rob Simpson, Tata Steel’s Head of Media Relations
T. +44 (0) 207 717 4404 or E. rob.simpson@tatasteel.com

Tom Goldspink, British Triathlon Communications Manager
T. +44 (0) 7795 415 452 or E. tomgoldspink@britishtriathlon.org

About Tata Steel’s European operations
Tata Steel is Europe's second largest steel producer, with steelmaking in the UK and Netherlands, and manufacturing plants across Europe. The company supplies products and services to the most demanding markets, including construction, automotive, packaging, rail, lifting & excavating, energy & power and aerospace. The combined Tata Steel group is one of the world’s largest steel producers, with a steel capacity of 29 million tonnes and 80,000 employees across four continents.

About British Triathlon
British Triathlon is the Governing Body for the sport in Great Britain. It is responsible for raising the profile and delivering elite performance for Triathlon, Paratriathlon, Duathlon and Aquathlon in Great Britain. Triathlon is a fast growing, dynamic and modern Olympic sport with talented world class athletes, coaches and support staff, focused around delivering world-class events and medal winning performances. Visit www.britishtriathlon.org for more information.