Depending on what you read, the sport participation legacy of London 2012 is mixed. Some studies have reported that 20 out of 29 Olympic sports have experienced a fall in the number of adults taking part, while other studies have suggested that there has been a 50 per cent rise for children in Wales participating in sport and physical activity. What is without doubt, however, is the growing popularity of triathlon.
With a 10 per cent yearly growth rate, triathlon is the fastest growing UK sport, and the tri-bug has also bitten Cardiff students. After speaking to Athletics Club president Rachel Underhill, and Vice President of Swimming and Water Polo Lauren Roe, it became clear why and how the idea of a new triathlon club came about.
ÔÇ£The idea started being discussed seriously last year, and with the amount of people at the AU Fair asking about it, it was clear that a triathlon club would get a lot of interest from current students,ÔÇØ Underhill enthused.
With triathlon being made up of three very different disciplines, there were many hurdles to overcome.
ÔÇ£With the success of the new cycling club [which was established last year at Cardiff University and has over 90 members], the potential for triathlon was evident,ÔÇØ explained Roe.
ÔÇ£Students will have the option to join an ÔÇÿumbrellaÔÇÖ triathlon club, rather than the three individual clubs. For instance, swimming on a Sunday, track cycling at Maindy on a different night, and running/athletics on Wednesday.ÔÇØ
Although dual or tri-swimming sessions may prove tricky in the short term, Underhill added that cycling-to-running sessions were very much a possibility.
ÔÇ£We are hopeful of having a team competing at the BUCS triathlon in May 2014,ÔÇØ commented Underhill.
Roe, meanwhile, stressed that the club is available for all abilities: ÔÇ£Triathlon is open to all ÔÇô itÔÇÖs a great way to get fitter, and it will be something completely new for most people.ÔÇØ
Students looking for inspiration should look no further than Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs very own Lewys Young, winner of the silver medal at last yearÔÇÖs World Duathlon Championships.
Rhys Clayton
*     *     *
For those interested, there is a meet-and-greet at 6:30pm on Monday October 28th in Tiger Tiger. 
Email: cardifftri@gmail.com
Twitter: @cardiffunitri
Add Comment