Last week, five-time Olympic Champion and nine-time Olympic medallist, Ian Thorpe traveled to Hobart to Unleash his message of inspiration, goal-setting and dreaming big to the students of Taroona High School.
Originally launched in Queensland over 12 months ago, Olympics Unleashed – Presented by Optus, has expanded its reach to NSW and ACT, bringing over 90,000 students from 635 schools, face-to-face with Olympic heroes.
Last week, it was Hobart’s turn to have a sneak peek at what Olympics Unleashed is all about, with the hope that the program would be rolled out nationally in the near future.
Taroona High School’s 230 Year 9 students were treated to the opportunity of a lifetime, hearing from one of Australia’s most decorated Olympians, Ian Thorpe.

Thorpe said that participating in Olympics Unleashed was a meaningful opportunity to inspire students to live their lives to the fullest – whether they want to be the next Ian Thorpe or make waves on a completely different path.
“Being part of the Olympics Unleashed program, I have the opportunity to meet so many great kids and hear their stories,” Thorpe said.
“It’s not just about uncovering the next Olympian – although that would be nice, it’s about inspiring the next generation through our Olympic journey, which I find really enjoyable.

“It’s really important to not only inspire kids in sport, but in whatever they may want to achieve, so they can get the most out of their lives,” he continued.
The messages athletes like Thorpe communicate are universal and ones that can be applied to all areas of life.
“The main message I wanted to communicate to the kids was around goal setting, pursuing your passion and following your dreams,” Thorpe said.

Thorpe hopes that his inspiration will have a flow-on effect, with students going on to inspire others.
“It’s so important for each generation to inspire the next and by having our Olympians, some of whom aren’t much older than these kids, in schools talking about their experiences. Through Olympics Unleashed, we are doing just that.”
Olympics Unleashed is free for schools, and takes Olympians and athletes aspiring for Tokyo 2020 and beyond into schools to unlock students’ passion and help inspire goal setting, overcoming challenges and developing resilience.
You can find more information and register your school at www.olympicsunleashed.com.au
Olympics Unleashed is only possible through the great support of State Governments and presenting partner Optus.
Liana Buratti