Tata Steel Reaffirms Commitment to Triathlon in 2011
02/10/2011 - Tata Steel confirms its status as the Presenting Partner of the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship London, for the second year running. In addition, the Tata Kids of Steel Children’s Triathlon Series will increase in size to 18 events across the UK.
Tata Steel has confirmed its status as the Presenting Partner of the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship London, for the second year running. In addition, the Tata Kids of Steel Children’s Triathlon Series (formerly the Corus Kids of Steel) will increase in size to 18 events across the UK.
The Tata Steel partnership will support British Triathlon through the next Olympic cycle and provide underpinning investment in the whole athlete development and support program in the build up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
“Triathlon is a sport that allows access to everybody, which is a clear statement of unity, and stands for the pursuit of excellence – unity and excellence both being part of Tata's core values,” said Shaun Doherty, Executive Officer to the CEO. “The World Championship weekend in London will give up to 110 Tata Steel and Tata employees the chance to compete in a triathlon on what will be the Olympic venue next year. We will also showcase innovative construction design and engineering with a unique temporary infrastructure hosting a VIP area and seating at the finish line. Something we can be enormously proud of.”
The event, backed by UK Sport’s World Class Events program, has extra cachet this year as it will be one of only two selection events for the British squad for the London Olympic Games – the other being the Grand Final of the Series in Beijing. Many other nations will also be using this event as an Olympic selection event, ensuring a world-class starting line of elite triathletes.
Last year, Tata Steel constructed a unique temporary infrastructure using innovative post-tensioned steel technology to house the VIP area and enhance the spectator experience. Tata Steel will develop the design this year, challenging both architects and engineers to temporarily transform this public space at a world-class venue for an elite sport.
The event will not just be about the elite competitors. Tata Steel will also host a staff wave in the Age Group Sprint races on the prestigious Buckingham Palace course on Sunday August 7. The Tata Steel Triathlon Challenge will enable 110 Tata Group employees to take part in a triathlon and experience the thrill and excitement of competing on the proposed Olympic triathlon course. Employees are also invited to use the event to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, or other charities of their choice.
Additionally, in 2011, the Corus Kids of Steel Children's Triathlon Series will be rebranded to the Tata Kids of Steel. There were 15 events in 2010 and nearly 10,000 children had the opportunity to have a go at triathlon in a fun, safe environment.
In 2011, there will be 18 events across the UK so the series will be even more popular. These events rely on volunteers to make them happen with many Tata Steel staff volunteering.
The Tata Kids of Steel events aim to give every child a positive and fun experience of triathlon, regardless of ability. Every child receives a t-shirt, swim cap, goody bag and medal for participating. Bikes and helmets are provided, and children only need to provide swimming and running kit.
The Tata Steel National ParaTriathlon Championships will also be taking place on Saturday 14th May at the National Water Sports Centre, Nottingham as part of the Nottingham Triathlon.
Tata Steel is especially proud of the developments in ParaTriathlon having supported the British Triathlon ParaTriathlon Development Project over the past five years. Tata Steel was thrilled when ParaTriathlon became recognized as a Paralympic Sport and will be included in the Rio 2016 Paralympics.
The European operations of Tata Steel (formerly known as Corus) comprise Europe's second-largest steel producer. With main steelmaking operations in the UK and the Netherlands, they supply steel and related services to the construction, automotive, packaging, material handling and other demanding markets worldwide.
Tata Steel is one of the world’s top ten steel producers. The combined group has an aggregate crude steel capacity of more than 28 million tonnes and approximately 80,000 employees across four continents.
British Triathlon is the current Sport Governing Body of the Year and the National Governing Body in Great Britain for Triathlon, Duathlon and Aquathlon, responsible for raising profile and delivering elite performance of the sport.
