To date, Olympians and aspiring Olympians have shared their stories with more than 80,000 students from Woolgoolga to Moruya, Murrumburrah to Lightning Ridge and everywhere in between across the 700 visits, with just over half taking place in regional or remote areas of NSW.

Marking the occasion, dual Olympic biathlete Alex Almoukov delivered his inspiring presentation to the year 9 and 10 students at Wellington High School near Dubbo.

The 33-year-old detailed the early stages of his career and how he went from being a self-proclaimed ‘lazy kid’ to becoming a world class athlete.

“When I was younger, I couldn’t get myself to study or get into sports because I thought I had zero talent,” Alex said.

“I lacked any significant hobbies or interests, which made it challenging for me to demonstrate commitment in school or sports.

“It wasn’t until this total stranger was talking to my dad and called me out on my laziness and lack of motivation, it was a like a slap in the face. I was so embarrassed, but it became a turning point for me. I decided right then and there to prove to myself that I could show commitment and started training full time for Cross-Country Skiing.”

Alex is now using his story to inspire the next generation of Australian students, with the hope that students will resonate with his experience, motivating them to make a positive change in their own lives.

“If one or two students from each visit can relate to my story, then that is rewarding for me. If my visit can somehow spur a student to do something more with their life, not just being an athlete but try some sort of passion and make that change, I consider that a success.”

Having been part of the Olympics Unleashed program in NSW since it started in 2019, Alex said he is honoured to be part of the states 700th visit.

“It feels great to have presented the 700th Olympics Unleashed visit in NSW. It is an amazing program, and I am honoured to be a part of it. I find it so rewarding speaking to students across the state and I love being able to give back to community.”

Year 10 students Mason and Payton said they were excited to have an Olympian visit their school and were inspired by Mason’s story.

“I found Alex’s presentation really relatable, his story that he was a lazy kid and turned himself into an Olympian was amazing,” Payton said.

Register your school for an Olympics Unleashed visit today at olympicsunleashed.com.au

“In a small town you don’t often get these types of opportunities, so I think it’s amazing to have an Olympian come and speak with our class – especially from a sport we had never heard of.”

“I think I am very similar to Alex, in that I sometimes lack motivation, but after listening to today's presentation I am feeling pretty inspired to start knuckling down and start doing the things I am passionate about,” Mason added.

Wellington High Schools PDHPE Teacher, Brooke Garland, said the Olympics Unleashed program was a fantastic opportunity for her students to hear from someone outside their normal circle and support network.

“Often the kids will just hear from teachers, and our messages sometimes don’t get through, so it’s great to have other people such as Olympians come in and inspire our students,” Brooke Garland said.

“Alex’s presentation will get our students to start thinking about what they can achieve in the future, whether that’s in sport or academically, and hopefully inspire them to be a little bit more motivated and have some passion about the things they choose to do.”