Olympic bronze medallist Hannah Davis and Olympian Travis Moran addressed over 300 secondary school students today in Adelaide as part of the Australian Olympic Committee’s (AOC) education program.

The event, Talk to a Champ, provided the opportunity for these young Australians to hear how their Olympian heroes had become involved in sport, the highs and lows they experienced along the way as well as the exhilaration of competing at the Olympic Games.

“It was a great event,” 2008 Olympian Hannah Davis said.

“We were able to share with the students the story of our sporting career and provide them with an insight of what it takes to get to the top.”

The one hour discussion centred on the importance of values in sport. It featured video highlights of the Olympic Games and concluded with a question and answer session.

“We received some challenging questions from the floor, but I think the most important part of the discussion centred on values and why sportsmanship and respect are vital to good competition.”

Davis and Moran spoke for over an hour and then moved into the audience to meet the students, sign autographs and have their photo taken.

Talk to a Champ was hosted by the Walford Anglican School. Moran and Olympic Gold Medallist Wendy Schaeffer also participated in the event yesterday at Cornerstone College in Mt Barker.

Talk to a Champ will tour around the country during the year and at each event feature two outstanding Olympians, who will share with aspiring athletes the positive impact sport has had on their lives.

Talk to a Champ is just one part of the a.s.p.i.r.e. school network, the AOC’s education program, which uses the Olympic sport traditions and values to teach life values and life skills.

The program also features the online video events Chat to a Champ and Learn from a Champ as well as Olympic Day in June. In the lead up to the London Olympic Games more activities will be offered including the popular Village Art program, Cheer for a Champ and lesson plans for primary and secondary school teachers.

For more information about Olympic education and how to participate please click here.