TRIPLE OLYMPIAN ROWIE WEBSTER VISITS THURSDAY ISLAND FOR OLYMPICS UNLEASHED

A NAIDOC Week Olympics Unleashed visit with 50 students in Thursday Island has created a remarkable milestone, with 250,000 students across the country having taken part in the program.

Launched in Queensland in late 2018 and also available across New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Western Australia, Olympics Unleashed takes Olympians and aspiring Olympians into schools to inspire students, encourage resilience and goal setting through the athletes’ own Olympic journey.

As part of an AOC NAIDOC week visit to the Torres Strait, triple water polo Olympian Rowie Webster joined Yuin woman and racewalker Beki Smith (London 2012) and Dunghutti boxer Brad Hore (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004) who shared their Olympic journey with Torres Strait students.

The 250,000 milestone has come from 1885 school visits, with more than 250 Olympians trained to deliver the program around the country. It also includes 25 000 students who received virtual Olympics Unleashed visits during lockdowns in 2020 and 2021.

“In my opinion, if you can’t see it, you can’t dream it,” Webster said.

“So having access to communities, no matter how big or small is really important to tell our story but also inspire the next generation of Australian Olympians who will hopefully one day go on to win numerous medals on the world stage.

“It’s about giving back to the people who have supported us, while also helping to bring through the next generation, so it’s really special to be a part of initiatives like Olympics Unleashed,” she said.

AOC CEO Matt Carroll was thrilled to see the schools program pass the quarter of a million milestone.

“This is a terrific milestone for the Olympic Movement in Australia and we are very proud to celebrate it in the northern tip of Queensland after launching the program in Brisbane,” Mr Carroll said.

“This marks 250,000 students who have heard first-hand the potency of building resilience, how learning to set goals can help them achieve things they may never have thought possible, and the importance in finding ways to overcome challenges – these are lessons students can apply no matter what their passion is.

“With the ten year green and gold runway into Brisbane 2032 to open later this month, these are invaluable lessons for young Australians that will play a role in building and delivering the opportunity of a home Olympics.

“Thank you to the state and territory governments for your ongoing support and commitment, that has made possible to take the Olympic spirit into classrooms across the country. We look forward to seeing the program grow further and continue to inspire young Australians.”

“Thank you as well to the Olympians for sharing your story and to the teachers and schools for your enthusiasm in welcoming the Olympic spirit.”

Queensland Sport Minister and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement, Stirling Hinchliffe congratulated the AOC on the Olympics Unleashed student milestone.

“Taking Olympics Unleashed to the Torres Strait demonstrates the AOC’s strong commitment to sharing the Olympic spirit with all Australians, regardless of where they live in our vast nation,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“During NAIDOC Week, Olympics Unleashed is a terrific opportunity to inspire young Indigenous Australians through the power of sport.

“Queensland’s You For 2032 Olympic and Paralympic talent search is an important part of our decade-long green and gold runway to Brisbane 2032.

“We’ll be taking You For 2032 to the Torres Strait and the Northern Peninsula next year to support young Indigenous Queenslanders with potential and ambition to represent their country and state on the world Olympic and Paralympic stage.”

The program is free for schools - you can find out more and register for the program now