Adidas, Official Sportswear Partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, launched the first of five innovative multi-sport outdoor venues called ‘adiZones’ at Wennington Green, Wennington Road, Tower Hamlets.
The Great Outdoor Gym Company was commissioned by adidas UK to assist in their mission to get more young people into sport and physical activity as part of their sponsorship for the London 2012 Olympic Games. The Great Outdoor Gym Company’s work included the design, project management, supply and installation of the adiZones. Their work also included working closely with the five Olympic Host Boroughs – Newham, Tower Hamlets, Greenwich, Waltham Forest and Hackney to deliver their first sponsored legacy project.
The adiZone design was inspired by the many sports of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The facilities incorporate basketball, football and tennis areas, a climbing wall, an outdoor gym and an open area to encourage taekwondo, judo, gymnastics and other activities like dance and aerobics. The design includes disability ramps and elements of the IFI guideline in the design.
Features of the adizone
- Fitness bike (TGO88O)
- Double station Leg Press (TGO604A)
- Double station chest press (TGO603A)
- Pull ups (TGO635A)
- Ski machine (TGO658C)
- Combi stepper and oblique (TGO628C)
- Treadmill (TGO620C1)
- Cross Trainer (TGO617A)
- Abdominal bench (TGO625A)
- Dips (TGO637A)
- Double station Lat pull down (TGO602A)
- Canopy (Extras)
- Freestyle area (Extras)
- Traversing wall (Extras)
- Kickwall and basketball goals (Extras)
- Tennis wall (Extras)
The Great Outdoor Gym Company is the UK’s market leader in outdoor gym equipment and installations. Their innovative outdoor gym equipment takes pride of place within the adizones. The equipment is resistance based, does not require electricity, is robust, weatherproof and free to use. All equipment complies with the European safety standards EN1176 and EN957.
Georgie Tarrant, 27, Managing Director of The Great Outdoor Gym Company said, ‘We are extremely pleased that adidas have chosen The Great Outdoor Gym Company as the company to help them get more people physically active and into sport through the adiZones. The adiZone is designed to break down barriers to physically activity. Many people simply cannot afford the gym or access sports facilities, the adiZones bring fitness spaces into the heart of the community and also provide a much needed positive space for young people.
Local streetballers enjoy the adiZone
The adiZones will serve local communities across the five boroughs, where current levels of participation in sport are amongst some of the lowest in the country – as spaces where young people can meet socially whilst being encouraged to play sports. It is hoped that through additional match funding from Sport England and the National Sports Foundation that a team of adiZones activators can be employed that will engage local communities, schools and sports clubs. Local coaches will be encouraged to attend the sites where they will be able to spot talent and encourage and signpost them to join local clubs and sporting organisations.
Commenting on the adiZones:
Christine Ohuruogu, 400 metres Olympic Gold medalist in Beijing 2008, officially opened the new site at Tower Hamlets and commented: “The adiZones are wonderful spaces where young people can meet up, hang out and get involved in sport. Growing up around here, I know that the AdiZones will be a really welcome and needed addition to the local community.”
Nick Craggs, Director of Marketing, adidas Area North: “When adidas announced our London 2012 tier one sponsorship we committed to encouraging and inspiring London’s youth to participate in sport. The adiZones in the five Host Boroughs are an initial step towards creating a real legacy and demonstrating the adidas commitment post the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is important that free sporting facilities are made available and accessibility if we are truly going to get the nation participating in sport. ”
London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe welcomed the adiZone programme, “We deliberately set out to bring commercial partners to the London 2012 table early on in the process so we could work with them to develop meaningful programmes to support their investment. The fact that adidas has taken on our vision of inspiring young people through sport in such an innovative way justifies that decision and we look forward to seeing the programme roll out wider in the coming months and years. It is fantastic to see adidas getting out into the communities with an initiative which will have a real legacy in London and has the potential to make a real difference in young people’s lives.”
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: “I fully support projects such as the adiZones which will be an important part of ensuring local communities feel the benefit of hosting the Olympic Games. This initiative fits perfectly with my desire to work with Local Authorities to improve the lives of young people in the capital through sport, giving them a sporting chance.”
