Inspiring Olympics Unleashed visits with students around the country and an important Reconciliation milestone headline Olympians in the community this March.
Olympian Joins Walk for Autism
Triple Olympian Chris Morgan shared his experiences as an Olympian on the autism spectrum with students at the Aspect Central Coast School as part of the Walk for autism fundraising event.
Chris joined students in a school walk and shared lessons from his Olympic journey with students.
Chris said he enjoyed sharing what possibilities are out there for people on the autism spectrum.
"As someone on the autism spectrum myself, I never really fit in, and life was a series of opening my own eyes as to what I can do and where I can go," Chris said.
"We all tell ourselves the story of what is and isn't possible – sharing my story with kids I hope can dispel a lot of those myths.
"We put these limits on ourselves based on only knowing stories we've heard – but there are so many stories outside the norm and life can take us in some pretty interesting directions. We all have a lot more possibility than what we believe.”
Important step in Reconciliation Action Plan
The AOC welcomed the next step in its Reconciliation journey, with Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine facilitating a workshop towards the AOC’s next “Innovate” Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The AOC’s RAP Working Group, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Olympians Patrick Johnson, Kyle Vander-Kuyp, Nova Peris, Beki Smith and Danny Morseu, discussed key actions to take to build on the first ‘Reflect’ RAP.
With the AOC launching its first RAP in June 2021, the working group is pivotal to progressing and strengthening how the Olympic movement can provide practical support to Indigenous reconciliation through sport.
Winter silver medallist shares secrets to success in Brisbane
Skeleton silver medallist Jackie Narracott made the most of her first time back in Queensland in two years, sharing her Olympic journey with students at Deception Bay.
Speaking with 150 students from years four to six, Jackie was thrilled to be able to connect with students, as her previous Unleashed visits occurred via Zoom from her training base in the UK when students were home schooling.
“Being back in the classroom, seeing the kids and getting that instant feedback and connection was so fantastic,” Jackie said.
“Especially when they got to hold the medal.
“I had done Unleashed visits before Beijing, and to be honest my message is the same – it’s just so nice to have that silver medal to show that setting goals and focusing on how you can overcome things in your way can lead to incredible results.
“The biggest thing I hope the students take away is to not give up when it gets hard – they can keep looking for things they’re passionate about or enjoy. If something isn’t working, that doesn’t mean you won’t find success or passion elsewhere, it’s about setting goals and breaking them down so the obstacles in your way don’t seem so big.”
From snow and ice to Canberra schools
Beijing 2022 Closing Ceremony Flag Bearer and ski cross athlete Sami Kennedy-Sim, four-time Olympian mogul skier Britt Cox and Beijing 2022 top five bobsledder Bree Walker joined 100 students from Forrest Primary as part of Olympics Unleashed.
"Sport has so many positive messages that can apply to all aspects of young people's lives,” Britt said.
"We really wanted to hone in on goal setting and did a workshop with the Forrest students on setting their own goals.
"Writing down your goal is so important – it solidifies it and makes it real. When you set big goals, even if you don't achieve them in the end, it can take you higher than would have ever been possible if you didn't aim there in the first place.”
