Team GB and ParalympicsGB Call On the Nation to Stay Home But Keep Active

Team GB and ParalympicsGB call on the nation to stay home and keep active together through Get Set

While we won’t be heading to the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games this year, the Travel to Tokyo virtual challenge from Get Set, with funding from Sport England and Spirit of 2012, is supporting millions of 5 to 11-year-olds and their families from across the UK in getting active together as one nation. 

As we adapt to find new ways of staying healthy and creating a sense of togetherness, staying active is relevant now more than ever before. Latest research from Sport England shows 67% of people believe exercise is helping them with their mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Travel to Tokyo challenge does this by allowing young people and their families to get active alongside their classmates virtually and celebrate their progress online as one school team.

Every physical activity, no matter how small, can be logged online as part of the Travel to Tokyo virtual challenge on the Get Set website. By taking the time to have a walk outside or a dance around the kitchen, getting moving is a great way to reduce stress and boost your mood during lockdown. The campaign aims to help young people make more active choices, and support families and wider school communities to keep moving and build healthier habits.

Families, as well as teachers, can now access exclusive Team GB and ParalympicsGB educational resources. These include a free Home Learning Pack with quick 10 minute inclusive activities that require no equipment. To support teachers with communicating with families during these unprecedented times, we’ve also created our own Parent Engagement Toolkit.

Providing inspirational messages, activities and rewards during lockdown is an all-star cast of athletes supporting the campaign including two-time Olympic gold medal winning rower Helen Glover MBE, five-time Paralympic dressage champion Natasha Baker MBE, 2016 Paralympic table tennis gold medallist, Will Bayley MBE, London 2012 bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo, London 2012 wheelchair basketball Paralympian Abdi Jama and sprinter Laviai Neilson.

Neil Townshend, Chairman of the British Olympic Foundation, said: “The mental and physical health benefits of exercise are more important than ever, so we must find new ways of keeping active whilst staying safe at home.

“We’re proud the Travel to Tokyo virtual challenge can continue to support schools and families in keeping active during these unprecedented times. We know the importance of community cohesion and we hope this challenge will create a sense of togetherness, even if virtually, that will help support young people’s physical and mental health.”

Mike Sharrock, Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association: “While we are dealing with new challenges, we’re pleased to invite all families across the UK to take part in our Travel to Tokyo virtual challenge and discover fun and creative ways to get moving, through our inclusive activities while staying apart.”

Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive of Sport England: “Through support from the National Lottery, we’re proud to fund the Travel to Tokyo virtual challenge to encourage children and their families across the UK to get active during this period of unprecedented disruption.

“Sport England’s Join the Movement campaign (#StayInWorkOut) has already showcased a number of creative and imaginative ways to get active for the benefit of our physical and mental wellbeing, and the Travel to Tokyo challenge is another creative way for children and families to form great exercise habits that have never been more important.”

Discover free, family activities at getset.co.uk/travel-tokyo