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epresenting every Australian state and territory to be medal and flower
bearers for the Paralympic Medal Ceremonies.
• The Paralympic Games Opportunity Tickets offered special group passes
which enabled students to attend Paralympic events as a school excursion
over seven days during term time. Some 330,000 students and staff took
advantage of the Paralympic Games excursion opportunity with interstate
and country New South Wales schools attracting a government subsidy for
travel. On some days, up to 1,000 chartered buses were required, with
thousands more school groups arriving by rail. The enthusiastic support
of so many young people encouraged the Paralympic athletes to achieve
unparalleled success and enhanced the overall profile of the Games
world-wide.
Conclusion
In the lead-up to the 2000 Games, 1,578 New South Wales schools were
registered for their active involvement in one or more of the Olympic 2000 Schools
programs. From these figures, the number of students involved in Olympic
education programs state-wide could be as high as 431,403 (not including
SOCOG/SPOC programs). On a national basis, over 9,700 schools received
Olympic education material.
The majority of these schools indicated a positive legacy from their
involvement in Olympic education. Students gained an understanding of the
Olympic Movement and an acceptance of Olympic values. A better appreciation
of elite sport and the organisation required for such a world-scale event created
a desire amongst students to support Olympic and Paralympic athletes with
enthusiasm.
The positive outcomes for students - a sense of national pride, recognition
of achievements, commitment to Olympic ideals and the inspiration to do their
best in all endeavours - were highlighted as justification for future involvement
in Olympic education activities.
Like the Olympic movement it promoted, the Olympic 2000 educational
programs demonstrated a vibrant, adaptable approach, which reflected the
interests of students and the developments inherent in organising an Olympic
Games for the new millennium. Through the diversity of program material,
schools had the opportunity to meet the global challenges of the 21 st century and
gain an understanding of those universal Olympic values, which contribute, to
building a peaceful and better world.
What other focus could achieve so much for the young people in our schools?
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