Pole vaulter Nina Kennedy and skeleton racer Nick Timmings will launch the Olympics Unleashed program in Western Australia for 2022/23, visiting remote communities in the Kimberley region to spread the Olympic spirit.
The Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Olympians will share their journey with young Western Australians at community clubs in Kununurra, Wyndham and Halls Creek from Wednesday to Friday this week.
From competing on the athletics tracks and ice racecourses of Europe and North America to engaging face to face with communities in outback Western Australia, Nina and Nick will tell their stories of building resilience, overcoming challenges and finding their passion to help inspire young West Australians to be their best selves.
The Kimberley visit kicks off the 2022/23 Olympics Unleashed program in the state, which will see different Olympians also visit the MidWest, Peel and Great Southern regions over the next six months.
AOC CEO Matt Carroll said he is thrilled to see Olympics Unleashed bring the Olympic spirit to all parts of Western Australia for the 2022/23 program.
“Olympians have inspiring stories that go beyond their sport,” Mr Carroll said. “They bring to life the importance of finding what drives you, setting goals and working towards them.
“Importantly, they talk about how success is almost never a straight road, that overcoming failure is learnt along the way - lessons every young person can use in their lives.
“Having an Olympian telling the story of their journey face to face in communities is a real reminder of what you can achieve when you work hard towards your goals, making their success a touchable reality.
“The AOC is committed to use the spirit of the Olympics and Australian Olympians to inspire young Australians to be their best. We thank the Western Australian Government, the Premier, and Minister Templeman for their support in delivering Olympics Unleashed into West Australia.”
Hon. David Templeman MLA, Minister for Sport and Recreation also welcomed the program.
"Promoting participation and achievement in sport to support a healthy lifestyle is a key focus of the McGowan Government,” Mr Templeman said.
“However, it is also important to remember that there is so much more to reaching the pinnacle of sport — the Olympics — than being physically capable. It takes resilience, perseverance, and dedication amongst other things.
“These are qualities that can benefit us all in everyday life, and it is wonderful to see our Olympians sharing their stories of success and setbacks with children in regional WA.
“The Olympics Unleashed visits are a welcome addition to our community sporting calendars and I hope they will help inspire a new generation of local sports stars.”
Fresh from an incredible season that included World Championships bronze, Commonwealth Games gold, Diamond League gold and a new Australian record, Nina was excited to share her passion with young people in the Kimberley.
“It feels really special to be able to share such a unique and different journey with kids in such remote areas of Australia,” Nina said.
“Nothing worthwhile in life ever comes easy, so talking about the challenges I’ve faced is almost more important than talking about my success. Talking about challenges and how to overcome them emphasises the importance of resilience, which is so important in all areas of life.
“Living rurally, you often miss out on experiences you would have if you lived in the city. Hopefully, by sharing my story and journey, these kids will be inspired to follow their dreams, just like I did.”
From growing up in Perth to plying his trade, racing face first down ice tracks at over 120km/hour, Nick knows the power of following dreams even when they may seem unreachable.
“I feel so privileged to be able to share my Olympic experiences with the WA community,” Nick said.
“I want to help inspire kids in these communities to chase their dreams and know that they can achieve them if they set their minds to it. Every opportunity they have, no matter how old or young they are and how odd the opportunity may be, it can lead to great things - you never know unless you try.
“Winter Olympic sports are unique; it demonstrates the power of the Olympic movement to spread so far and wide to get everyone involved and inspire anyone, no matter where they come from.”
Olympics Unleashed in Western Australia is funded in partnership between the AOC and Western Australia’s Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
