Eight outstanding Australian Olympians are sharing their secrets of success with school students across Australia in a new online education program launched by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).

Olympic gold medallists Grant Hackett, Natalie Cook, James Tomkins, Chantelle Newbery and Libby Trickett have spoken about the highs and lows of their sporting careers in a series of short video clips titled Learn from a Champ.

Olympic Water Polo representative, Trent Franklin, and Winter Olympians Jenny Owens and Paul Murray are also supporting the program.

“This is a fabulous resource for young Australians, in fact for anyone who is looking for some motivation,” Olympic champion James Tomkins said.

The Olympians talk about using a positive attitude to overcome challenging situations, the importance of sportsmanship, what it feels like to represent Australia, who they respect and admire as well as their responsibility as a role model to young Australians.

“The questions were some of the hardest I have ever answered, but I hope my responses will assist a young swimmer or a young runner to achieve their goal” Tomkins said.

The video resource is designed for upper primary and lower secondary and contains over 100 video clips. The resource is themed around the Australian Olympic Team’s a.s.p.i.r.e. values, namely attitude, sportsmanship, pride, individual responsibility, respect and express yourself and is available on the AOC website - media.olympics.com.au

A guide for teachers is also available.

“Trying to instil the a.s.p.i.r.e. values into my kids as they are growing up is a challenge, but very rewarding when you see them come through” Tomkins said.

Learn from a Champ launches the Australian Olympic Committee’s 2011/2012 education program for primary and secondary teachers. This free, online program uses the Olympic sport traditions and values to teach life values and life skills.

It is in addition to the popular and well established Chat to a Champ program, allowing primary students to chat with their Olympian heroes using web video conferencing. Rowing Olympian Kim Crow kicks off the first session on Thursday 17th March.

In June, Olympians across the country will return to school to celebrate international Olympic Day. They will participate in sporting events, sign autographs and talk about the positive impact sport has had on their life.

And in November, primary and secondary lesson plans themed around the London Olympic Games, will be published online to assist teachers with their planning for 2012. The popular Village Art and Cheer for a Champ programs will be offered next year with a few more exciting programs soon to be announced.