Trampolines bring Olympic fun to UK gardens
15/02/2011 While the garden trampoline appears to have taken over British backyards in recent years, few of us have much knowledge of the Olympic sport in which the bouncy apparatus is used.
"It was originally designed as a training tool for astronauts and to help athletes practice acrobatic routines in sports such as diving and artistic gymnastics," explained the Daily Telegraph earlier this week.
As part of its guide to the London 2012 Olympics, the newspaper discussed the history of trampoline gymnastics, which was first embraced at the Games in Sydney, just over a decade ago.
While Olympians are required to be at least 18 years of age to compete in the sport, parents are frequently advised to purchase trampolines for the garden, which, with the correct safety measures in place, can be suitable for all.
Earlier this month, boxing champion Amir Khan said that young people represent the "future of sport" and that it is parents' responsibility to promote the health benefits of outdoor play and fitness activities.
"It was originally designed as a training tool for astronauts and to help athletes practice acrobatic routines in sports such as diving and artistic gymnastics," explained the Daily Telegraph earlier this week.
As part of its guide to the London 2012 Olympics, the newspaper discussed the history of trampoline gymnastics, which was first embraced at the Games in Sydney, just over a decade ago.
While Olympians are required to be at least 18 years of age to compete in the sport, parents are frequently advised to purchase trampolines for the garden, which, with the correct safety measures in place, can be suitable for all.
Earlier this month, boxing champion Amir Khan said that young people represent the "future of sport" and that it is parents' responsibility to promote the health benefits of outdoor play and fitness activities.
