Since launching in Queensland in 2018, now more than 200,000 students across the state have heard firsthand from Olympians in their classroom, messages from their Olympic journey about how to build resilience, set goals and overcome challenges.

Today’s milestone means 200,000 students from more than 1300 schools, in every part of the state, have connected with the Olympic movement in their community to help inspire the next generation.

Delivered by the Australian Olympic Committee in collaboration with the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), Olympics Unleashed in Queensland is focused on years 4 to 6 and available to every primary school across the state.

Schools: Find out more and register for Olympics Unleashed at your school!

AOC CEO Matt Carroll said today’s milestone highlights the great connection young Queenslanders have with the Olympic movement.

“Olympians have stories that go beyond sport – of how to find a passion, set goals and importantly how to build resilience to allow them to overcome the inevitable challenges they face in their Olympic journey” Mr Carroll said.

“More than 200,000 young Queenslanders have heard firsthand from Olympians how to become the best versions of themselves.

“Hearing firsthand from an Olympian like Ellie – who has already realised an Olympic dream in Tokyo and is in the final stretch of qualifying for her second Games in Paris, builds a strong connection with students. This has a real impact and can inspire them to be their own personal best – on the sporting field, at school and at home.

“Thank you to the Queensland Government for partnering with the AOC to bring Olympians face to face with Queensland students to inspire them to chase their passion. As we move down the green and gold runway to Brisbane 2032, Olympics Unleashed will continue to light a spark for students to be part of the Games, there are so many ways, not just sport.”

Sport Minister Michael Healy said the Olympics Unleashed program is a powerful learning tool that brings the Olympic spirit directly into the classroom.

“I want to pay tribute to all the amazing athletes who give up their time to travel to schools across the state so they can tell their own stories of triumph and adversity to our kids,” said Mr Healy.

“Olympians have an inspiring and important message for young Queenslanders that will last beyond the Games – they know how to dream big, then set about turning those dreams into reality.

“Reaching 200,000 young Queenslanders is a credit to the athletes, the AOC and the QAS, who continue to plan for future success at LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032, even as we countdown to the start of the Paris Games in less than 50 days.”

Beer is just back from being crowned Oceania Champion in Fiji, taking time from her Paris 2024 qualification schedule to connect with the students at Coomera Rivers.

“I want students to feel inspired to be able to achieve anything they put their mind to,” the 21-year-old Gold Coast local said.

“Through sharing my Olympic journey, I hope students are inspired to discover interests that they might not have known yet, and be open to different opportunities.

“I love the excited expressions I get as soon as the students enter the room, asking so many questions about both on and off the track. When students run to you asking question after question about your journey and how you got there, I just love being able to help and inspire them.

“Being able to give back to the community that helped me so much during my early years and inspiring the upcoming generations makes me feel grateful to be a part of their own journey.”

QAS General Manager Troy Ayres said creating a connection between our elite athletes and the next generation could have a lasting impact.

“Every athlete has a different journey to extraordinary sporting success and each one of these events has delivered a unique experience for Queensland students,” said Mr Ayres.

“The qualities and skillsets that our athletes develop in their sporting careers are valuable experiences that they can pass onto the next generation.

“It’s a reminder that you can achieve what you set your mind to whether that’s on the sporting field, or beyond.”

Since launching in Queensland in 2018, the program has extended to New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, with a combined national total of more than 390 000 students from over 2800 schools participating so far.