download - IOA

Movement and highlight the value of sport in the development of young
people. The Awards are conducted by the Australian Olympic Committee
in all states and territories and continue to prove a key motivator, with
756 students honoured in 2000.
• The Share the Spirit Art program was conducted annually for Primary
school students from Kindergarten to Year 6 and fostered the spirit of
Olympism through the themes of Sport, Friendship, Multiculturalism
and Welcoming the World. The winning artwork selected for each age
category was used for the SOCOG merchandising program and proceeds
directed to support the Australian Olympic Team. From the final entries
received for 2000, over 10,500 pieces of student artwork were hung in the
Olympic Village to welcome the athletes of the world to the Sydney
Games. By providing a stamped addressed postcard, each athlete was
encouraged to send a return message to the student involved.
• Aussie Frog Action was a Primary school program developed by the New
South Wales Education Department to encourage student participation and
enjoyment in physical activities and sport. As this was a current Government
agenda at the time, we linked the outcomes directly to the physical
education syllabus. Students maintained a diary of healthy lifestyle activities
for which a system of positive reinforcement was managed by the teacher.
The Green and Golden Bell Frog - an endangered species which is native
to Homebush Bay, the main site for the 2000 Olympic Games - was the icon
used to reward participation and provide the link to the Olympic ideals and
tradition. The frog also provided a focus for environmental issues associated
with the management of developing a "Green Games" and the opportunity
to encourage positive attitudes by children towards sustainable develop
ment in the future. This program elicited a high level of enjoyment and
commitment to physical activity by students.
• The Network of Friendship program linked schools across the world on a
one to one basis with the assistance of the respective NOC's. Once the
communication links were established students exchanged information on
educational, sporting and cultural activities, as well as Olympic activities on
a whole school, class group or individual basis. The potential for the
program to assist in the development of international understanding
and respect for different cultures through this Olympic framework cannot
be underestimated. We are delighted that many schools are now communi
cating via the Internet and, while the program will not be resourced in the
future, we anticipate many friendships will continue.
Providing the experience
As the "icing on the cake" we were privileged to provide "hands-on" Olympic
experience for thousands of young people prior to, and during the Olympic and
Paralympic Games.
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