CHILDREN and parents got a taste of the Olympics when sporting activities swept across Friars Walk today.

The activities were part of sport development scheme Road to Rio, and saw a team of qualified sports coaches visit the shopping centre, inviting the general public to sample sports ranging from archery to handball.

The van - wrapped in an Olympic-themed design - holds over 15 types of Olympic and Paralympic sporting equipment and has been travelling around Newport, getting communities involved with sport.

The van has already visited over 16 schools with the aim of getting fans into the spirit of the games and building on the legacy of London 2012.

Hamzah Nanabawa, 22, of Maindee has worked as a sports coach for three years, alongside doing community work with youngsters from black, minority and ethnic backgrounds.

Speaking at Friars Walk, he said: “It’s amazing and to see the smiles on a persons face and to make them active. You live for this.

“Newport is rising now from the Ryder Cup to the Olympics and the Euro 2016 squad put Wales on the map. Now I can say I’m from Wales and people know where it is. They made history.

“The children love it and all they want to be is a footballer, to be like Gareth Bale. Hopefully we can help find the next best footballer in Wales.”

Andrew Simpson, of Allt- yr-Yn, Newport, visited the Road to Rio van with his two-year-old son, Tommy. They got involved with tennis and boxing activities in the sun.

“I’m not that big on sport but hopefully Tommy will be a bit sportier than I am,” Mr Simpson said.

“Sport is a good way for children to learn to play together and it is still important at his age [...] its really good to see (Newport Live) making good use of the space at Friars Walk.”

The campaign was organised by Newport Live in partnership with Newport City Homes (NCH), Charter Housing, Linc Cymru, Monmouthshire Housing and Tesco.

Community initiative officer for NCH, Sam Reed, said: “We want to encourage people to live more active, healthier lives and these events are providing people with a taste of Olympic sports within their community.

“They have been a great success so far and there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved.”

The Newport Live summer events programme will start on Friday, August 5 at Newport International Sports Village and the Team GB Cycling Training Camps at the National Velodrome.

This programme also includes Road to Rio van appearances at Sport in the Park events in Beechwood Park (Aug 11), Rogerstone Welfare Ground (August 18) and Caerleon RFC (August 25).

For more information on upcoming events, visit www.newportlive.co.uk or call 01633 656757.