“Last Thursday I got to chat to Emily Seebohm!” Alex James of Coolah Central School wrote.

“She is, in my opinion, the world’s greatest 100m backstroker! I was really nervous when I got up to ask her a question.

“I thought it was really cool when I saw her speaking to me. When I saw her face on the S.M.A.R.T board I realised she would see my face as big as her face.”

Primary school student Alex James and Olympic gold medallist Emily Seebohm spoke using online video conferencing as part of the AOC program Chat to a Champ.

“I can’t believe she gets up at 4:00am and swims,” James wrote.

“For a 16-year-old turning 17 she is a very inspirational champion for all the young swimmers. I thought it was really nice when she let us look at her big Weimaraner, called Storm, which was so cool.

“I felt sorry for her when I realised she was in the Cyclone Hamish Zone. When I heard her biggest idol was Ian Thorpe I realised she really was dedicated to her swimming. If I had another chance to talk to her I would thank her so much for letting me talk to her. It was so cool. I’m glad she goes for Collingwood!”

Chat to a Champ was established for the 2008 Olympic Games and linked Aussie Olympians in Beijing with school children in Australia.

In an Olympic first, the Olympians were able to share their experiences from inside the Beijing Games with eager young fans. It was a mutually beneficial experience for both the Olympians and school children.

The AOC is continuing this powerful program in 2009. Each term the AOC facilitates the opportunity for 18 primary schools to chat with their Olympic heroes using online video conferencing.

The AOC provides the equipment, internet access and coordinates the Chat, lasting 30 minutes. For more information visit Chat to a Champ.