Triathlete steps out of the old routine

Olympic triathlete Alistair Brownlee joins Bollywood dancers for the launch of the London 2012 Open Weekend 2010 in Bradford's Centenary Square yesterday.

Brownlee is among top British stars who stepped out of their comfort zones to urge people to challenge themselves by doing something active in the run-up tothe Games. To promote this year's Open Weekend – from

July 23 to 25 – the athletes, including 2012 medal hopefuls such as Brownlee, cyclists Ed Clancy and Wendy Houvenaghel and gymnast Beth Tweddle, took part in a range of cultural challenges. Brownlee is learning dance with Step Up Bradford and Olympic team pursuit champion Clancy picked up some bicycle ballet tricks in Manchester.

London 2012 organisers hope people will use the weekend to try something new. Full listings can be found at www.london2012.com/openweekend

Picture: Mark Bickerdike