In Queensland as part of the IOC’s Brisbane 2032 Coordination Commission visit, the trip marks President Bach’s last visit to Australia as IOC President, before President-elect Kirsty Coventry takes on the role from 24 June.

President Bach joined Olympians for a panel discussion with track cyclist and Chef de Mission Anna Meares, sprint kayaker Alyce Wood, BMX freestyler Natalya Diehm, aerial skier Danielle Scott and rhythmic gymnast (and current Brisbane State High student) Jessica Weintraub, sharing their Olympic experiences with the engaged audience.

The students soaked up stories of resilience, how to manage pressure, the mindset needed to overcome immense challenges, and how to find motivation in the long path to achieving big goals.

President Bach paid tribute to Australia’s sporting culture and the importance of our next generation to keep the Olympic flame burning bright.

“Australians passion for sport and joy in their sporting efforts really stands out,” Mr Bach said.

“In sport you learn that defeat is not the end of the world and victory does not make you superior over others. It’s about never giving up, never losing your passion and knowing that you can always get better.

“It's a wonderful experience to be with these young kids and to see their enthusiasm for sport.

“These are the most inspiring moments you can have, as a president of the IOC, to be with these young people and to feel the Olympic spirit alive.

“The young generation is the future of the Olympic movement. It’s so important to be here with them, to give them the opportunity to participate in sport and hopefully participate in the Olympic Games.”

Chef de Mission and Olympic champion Anna Meares said lessons learned through Olympic sport can help students in their own pursuits, on or off the sporting field.

“The young people of today are our future – the more positive role models that can impact them and the way that they look at the world, and the way that they deal with adversity, the better that we will have our future through them,” Ms Meares said.

“The students here are so engaged and curious, they’re asking really high-level questions, you can sense they’re going through their own challenges.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Anna Meares (@annameares)

“The lessons that we've learned through sport as Olympians, we're able to provide some advice, it’s been so nice to connect with them and share our experiences.”

Triple Olympic aerial skier Danielle Scott said connecting with students reminded her of being inspired by Olympians when she was a student.

“I hope to inspire these students, whether it's in summer or winter sports, because there's so many opportunities and it's just so exciting – the time is now to get these young people firing!” Danielle said.

“I was once that girl looking up to athletes, thinking, wow, I want to be like them. To be amongst that excitement now is special.

“I'm so excited to see the determination in the students, they're already thinking about how to get those one percenters, how to be a better athlete, how to go about tough days and figuring out where their passion is and the driving force behind their potential.

“It was pretty special sitting next to President Bach, he’s a legend in sport, and I've seen him at Games, it was really an honour to be sitting next to him answering questions with him.”

Brisbane State High proudly counts more than 40 Olympians as student alumni, as well as Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee President Andrew Liveris, and more than 100 students took the chance to engage with the Olympians face to face.

Year 12 student Alexis Leota said she can apply the Olympians’ experiences to her pursuit of a medical career.

“Hearing how the Olympians keep their motivation, what they do in their day to day life, was so valuable,” she said.

“They gave a great quote, that ‘Our will is our skill,’ which is such a good takeaway. I'm hoping to study nursing and paramedicine, it would be amazing to be in the medical team for the Olympics.”

Year 10 swimmer Caitlyn Haynes has her eyes set on representing Australia at the highest level.

“I really enjoyed learning about the opportunities of other athletes and their experience when going to the Games,” Caitlyn said.

“Preparing and finding motivation, finding those one-percenters every day just to keep going is a lesson that I can really take out of that and apply for everyday training and life in general.”

With only seven years until the Brisbane 2032 Games, the Olympic spirit is alive and thriving in Australia’s young leaders.

Olympic spirit shines at Brisbane State High with IOC President and Australian Olympians