Gold medallists from Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 are showing their support for the a.s.p.i.r.e. school network, the Australian Olympic Committee’s new on-line, values education program.

Dani Roche – hockey, Atlanta 1996; Deb Watson - water polo, Sydney 2000 and Suzy Balogh - shooting, Athens 2004, are all gold medallists and just some of Australia’s Olympians who will meet educators and students at the 2006 Education Expo.

The Olympians will be available to sign autographs and share stories about their sporting experience.

The Boxing Kangaroo, affectionately known as “BK”, will also be there. As the symbol of the program, educators and students can follow BK as they learn about the Olympic Values and the Olympic Games.

The Olympians will invite educators to join the a.s.p.i.r.e school network and receive benefits such as a membership certificate, access to Australian Olympic Education resources including the Olympic Fact Zone, a monthly newsletter, and the BK award, which is given to a student who demonstrates one of the a.s.p.i.r.e values at a school sports carnival. Educators can sign up for free at olympics.com.au.

Those that sign up before the 21st July 2006 will go in the draw to win one of five “BK Bumper Packs”, which contain a limited edition BK soft toy, BK pins, an Olympic key ring, Olympic pens and the book Time of our Lives written by the AOC historian.

More than 400 educators have signed up as members since February 2006 and the Australian Olympic Committee looks forward to welcoming more.

The 2006 Education Expo takes place from 10am – 4pm, 24th and 25th June at Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney.

AOC