Last week, it was revealed on The One Show that Lloyd will be taking on an Olympic triathlon as part of the BBC Children in Need Challenge Squad. Read on to find out how Lloyd is preparing for his epic challenge!
The triathlon consists of a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle, and 10km run. For Lloyd, it’s more than just a race. Before joining The Challenge Squad, he couldn’t ride a bike, so learning that skill was his first challenge.
“Lloyd has always wanted to ride a bike but we haven’t been able to master it. The balance and coordination is really difficult.”
Ceri, Lloyd’s Mum
Custom-Built Bike for Success
Memory and processing can be a challenge for people with Down syndrome. So, learning new skills step by step is key. For Lloyd, learning to ride a bike isn’t just about learning and practicing a new skill – it also requires the right equipment.
People with Down syndrome often have lower muscle tone (hypotonia) and looser joints (hypermobility), which can make balance and coordination more difficult. Also, their body proportions can make standard bikes harder to control for example:
Smaller hands or feet may need adapted grips or pedal sizes.
Wider hips or narrower shoulders can affect balance and bike control.
Shorter limbs or torso can make standard bikes tricky to use.
Lloyd’s custom bike from Handsling is designed to fit him perfectly, support his posture, and make pedalling and steering easier. With the right bike, Lloyd has been able to focus on building balance, strength, and confidence without struggling against equipment that doesn’t fit.
Building Stamina in the Pool
Another challenge for Lloyd is improving his swimming. Spending hours in the pool has helped him build confidence, stamina, and better technique. Swimming can be tricky for people with Down syndrome due to lower muscle tone, but Lloyd’s hard work with his coach, Hendrik, shows his resilience and commitment to the challenge.
Running Come Rain or Shine!
Running is something Lloyd loves, and he’s already a Guinness World Record holder as the youngest person with Down syndrome to complete the London Marathon. With his running partner Josie, Lloyd has been training come rain or shine, showing that with support and determination, anything is possible.
Paralympic Inspiration
Lloyd recently met Paralympic champion Dave Ellis, who competes in triathlon events for athletes with visual impairments (PTVI). Dave has won numerous titles, including a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, multiple World and European Championships, and a Commonwealth Games gold medal.
Dave’s success is a huge inspiration to Lloyd. It was great to see them getting to know each other and Dave offering advice as Lloyd prepares for his own challenge.
You can catch Lloyd again tonight on The One Show at 7pm on BBC One and see the full video of his visit to the Olympic Lee Valley Park and his meeting with Dave. In the meanwhile – here a little snippet from BBC One’s Morning Live show today: Lloyd’s Morning Live update
An Inspiration
“I bring a lot of determination and confidence because I want to make my family proud.”
Lloyd Martin
At Stepping Stones DS, we are so proud of Lloyd and everything he is achieving. He’s showing the world what’s possible with determination, courage, and support.
You can learn more about Lloyd here: Lloyd Martin SSDS Ambassador
