A sixth Australian Olympic Pathway School launch, a snow-themed Olympics Unleashed TV episode and the celebration of Australian Olympic Change-Makers marked a fantastic month of the Olympic spirit in Australian communities.
Australian Olympic Change-Maker National Forum
High school students across Australia came together in Sydney and virtually in September for the Australian Olympic Change-Maker National Forum where they engaged with Olympians Chloe Dalton, Sally Fitzgibbons, Bronte Campbell, Kyle Vander-Kuyp and Sam Fricker.
An event to celebrate young leaders in communities and to inspire them, teachers nominated approximately 1000 students for the Change-Maker program this year, who are driving positive change.
Every Change-Maker that submits a video goes into the running to attend the National Summit in December*, which provides a unique opportunity for Australian Olympic Change-Makers to collaborate with Olympians and to provide a vital youth voice to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).
Find out more about Australian Olympic Change-Maker here and watch the replay of the 2023 National Forum here.
*Terms and conditions apply.
Hunter Sports High School Pathway School launch
Hunter Sports High School was formally recognised as an Australian Olympic Pathway School, becoming the sixth Olympic Pathway School in NSW.
Olympians and current staff members of Hunter Sports High Scott Westcott (Rio 2016) and Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Beijing 2008) attended the celebration, taking part in a special Olympics Unleashed Q&A panel on the day.
Hunter Sports High School joins Westfield Sports High School, Hills Sports High School, Endeavour Sports High School, Illawarra Sports High School, and Narrabeen Sports High School to officially receive their designation.
Read more about the day here.
Olympics Unleashed in Townsville
The AOC took part in a special Olympics Unleashed and Have a Go session at the Townsville Sports Precinct, to coincide with the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee board meeting.
Tokyo 2020 Olympian and Townsville local Elle Armit took part in an Olympics Unleashed inspired Q&A panel discussion, hosted by Olympic medallist Brooke Hanson.
Speaking to around 40 local junior athletics athletes, Ellie shared her journey from the local Townsville water polo club to her debut Olympic Games in Tokyo and detailed the lead up to next year's Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Following the Q&A, Elle and Brooke joined fellow Olympians and Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee board members Patrick Johnson and Nat Cook in a Have a Go session on the athletics track, taking the local youth through some sprinting, shot put and triple jump drills.
Olympics Unleashed TV
Episode 12 of Olympics Unleashed TV was broadcast to students across Australia, hosted by four-time Winter Olympian Britt Cox.
The snow-themed episode gives students a glimpse into the world of winter sports, featuring Olympic gold medallist Jakara Anthony, triple Olympian Sami Kennedy-Sim and Beijing 2022 Olympic debutants Cooper Woods and Abi Harrigan.
The episode highlights the sport of Mogul Skiing with a special on-snow 'sports insight' with Jakara and Cooper, followed by a round of Q&A with students from Jindabyne Public School who were given the exciting opportunity to ask all five Olympians questions about their Olympic journeys.
The brand new National Snowsports Training Centre (NSTC) at Jindabyne Sport & Rec Centre is also featured in the episode, showcasing Australia's one-of-a-kind airbag facility.
Cathy Freeman honoured with grandstand at Sydney Olympic Park
Olympic legend Catherine Freeman returned to the scene of her most iconic Olympic moments, as the New South Wales Government unveiled the 'Cathy Freeman Stand' at Stadium Australia in her honour.
The initiative came on the 15th of September, the 23rd anniversary of the moment Cathy Freeman lit the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Her subsequent victory on the track 11 nights later in the 400 metres final remains Australia's most iconic sporting moment.
Read more here.
R U OK Day? - Treat a Mate like a Teammate
Athletes have each other's back on the pitch, on the track, in the pool and in the arena. But that unconditional support doesn't always transfer to life outside of competition.
To mark R U OK Day on 14 September, the AOC called on the Olympic family to 'Treat A Mate Like A Team-Mate!'
