Alpine skier, Greta Small has kicked off the 2018 Chat to a Champ program in PyeongChang, answering some tough questions from youngsters at her second Winter Olympic Games.
PYEONGCHANG 2018: Alpine skier, Greta Small has kicked off the 2018 Chat to a Champ program in PyeongChang, answering some tough questions from youngsters at her second Winter Olympic Games.
The 23-year-old spoke to schools in Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria with students sending in very curious questions about her Olympic experience before competition gets started.
“It’s very cool to be a part of the Chat to a Champ program again,” Small said.
“I remember when I was in year 3 we looked at the Athens 2004 Games and how cool it was when an athlete responded to our fan mail.”
Small said she had some fantastic questions, with her favourite being what she does the morning of a competition, and the Wangaratta-native hoped students were inspired by her session.
“I hope I have inspired some of the kids to get out there, be active and do what they love. And of course, watch the Winter Olympics.”
Karl Klose, a teacher from Loxton Lutheran School in South Australia said he and his class had been fortunate to follow Greta’s career for 6 months for the Olympics, chatting to her twice in a couple of pre-Games’ sessions.
“We have learnt some interesting facts about alpine sports and were especially inspired watching Greta put on a brave face to fight back from two ACL's,” Klose said.
“This determination has made her a 'winner' in many of the children's eyes, without having even seen her compete.”
Klose was extremely positive of the Chat to a Champ program, saying the opportunity to connect with Australia's only Olympic alpine skier was awesome.
“We will be cheering Greta on over the next two weeks as she seeks to do herself and her country proud.
“This program has also inspired us to research the politics of Korea, fuelling many questions about the rivalry between the north and the south.
“For these kids living in the country, it has opened their eyes to a global, professional world of sport.”
More 2018 Olympians will participate in the program over the next couple of weeks including figure skaters Kailani Craine and Brendan Kerry tomorrow.
For more information about the Chat to a Champ program - http://education.olympics.com.au/news/chat-to-a-champ-pyeongchang-2018-information
Ashleigh Knight
olympics.com.au
