5 days to go to Olympic Day: Australia’s Olympians return to school to promote Olympic Movement

18 | 6 | 2015

Olympians all over Australia are heading back to school to honour Olympic Day and spread the ideals of Olympism to the next generation.

Throughout the month of June Australia’s Olympians like swimmer Brenton Rickard two-time Silver Medallist at Beijing 2008 will be visiting schools across the country in an effort to inspire, excite and educate children about what it means to be an Olympian.

Rickard, who returned to his old high school, St Joseph’s College Nudgee, last week is just one of a number of Australian Olympians willing to give up their time to encourage kids to get active and put into practice the Olympic Day pillars of Move, Learn and Discover.

Mike Tancred of the Australian Olympic Committee said: 

“We’re fortunate in Australia to have a fantastic team of Olympians who are willing to take the time to travel to schools and clubs and motivate the next generation of aspiring athletes by sharing their own amazing experiences and stories.

“Our Olympic Day celebrations are focused on encouraging kids to become active and educating them about how to work hard to achieve their goals. Being able to reunite schools with former pupils who have gone on to become Olympians is a great way to do this.”

The National Sports Museum in Melbourne will also be hosting Olympic Day events in partnership with the Victorian Olympic Committee. The museum is inviting everyone to join them in their celebrations which will run from 22 June to 25 June. 

Schools and members of the public will be able to meet Olympians and other people involved with Olympic sports and gain an understanding of what it takes to be an Olympian and the significant role the Olympics and sport plays in Australian society. 

Olympic Day is a global celebration of sport and the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, which takes place on 23 June each year to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games in 1894.

The WOA would like to share your inspirational Olympic Day stories, events and pictures on our digital and social platforms so please let us know about any planned Olympic Day activities by contacting info@thewoa.org.

Olympians are also encouraged to engage on social media using the hashtag #OlympicDay