Megan Armitage
Dr Hussein Al Zubaidi extolled the myriad health benefits of triathlon after witnessing its effects first-hand.
Growing up away from the world of sport, Dr Al Zubaidi took up triathlon in his 20s after a health scare and has since rocketed to world championship and Ironman status, and this year became Team GB's yellow jersey age group ambassador.
“It's incredible that someone who used to forge notes to get out of gym class has gone on to represent their country in triathlons,” he said.
“We know that if we could help more people live healthy lifestyles, roughly 60% of chronic diseases would no longer exist.
“Physical activity and supporting people to find exercise they enjoy and want to do is so important to combat these major health concerns.”
The British Triathlon's 'Paris Inspired' programme will offer a range of free activities over the coming months, including the family-friendly Swim, Bike, Run Mini, which combines two or three triathlon events into an event format, and Swim, Bike, Run Develop, coached sessions to help build confidence in individual events.
Al Zubaidi praised the programme for inspiring people who had never heard of triathlon before, set against the backdrop of the Olympics, and for diversifying the sport and making it more accessible to people from all walks of life.
“We know that the more varied physical activity you do, the better your chances of living with fewer vulnerable periods,” he said.
“These three sports, combined with an element of strength training, are probably the best way to stay active and stay healthy for the long term.”
Free Paris Inspired events will be held throughout the rest of the summer, offering people the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Olympic gold medallist Alex Yi by taking part in swimming, cycling and running. Dr Al Zubaidi encourages everyone to take part in sport, which offers a wide range of benefits for physical and mental health.
“My wife had watched the triathlon at the 2016 Rio Olympics and was so impressed with the female athletes that she decided to give it a try,” he said.
“Then she encouraged me to start doing it and it has really helped me get my life in order and stay healthy.
“My wife and I looked into triathlon because it involves three sports and offers many benefits.”
Triathlon combines swimming, cycling and running, and Swim Bike Run Mini events and Swim Bike Run Develop coached sessions offer a variety of opportunities to combine two or three sports.
These inclusive activities provide a space to explore blending the various disciplines of triathlon in a supportive and friendly environment.
“At the Olympics you can see people from all over the world sharing their joy and their love of sport,” he said.
“What I would like to see more of in the UK is people from different ethnic backgrounds considering triathlon their own, and Paris Inspired can contribute to that.”
“We don't want this to be an elite sport, we want it to be a sport that everyone can enjoy in their own way.
“All we can do is listen to what the community wants and provide the space and the opportunities. The Olympics have certainly demonstrated that and that's what the campaign wants to achieve.”
“Every time something like this happens, I know there are people who are inspired and their lives are changed the way it changed mine.”
“We want to use the Olympics as a catalyst, not a stopgap.”
Through its Paris Inspired campaign, Triathlon England is supporting clubs and organisers to deliver free events and activities, giving more people the opportunity to try swimming, cycling and running https://www.britishtriathlon.org/the-games/paris-inspired
