Athletes returning from the Tokyo Olympic Games have dialled into virtual classrooms across the State as part of the Victorian Institute of Sport’s (VIS) Be Fit. Be Well program.
The VIS said 10 Victorian Olympians, including Rowie Webster (water polo), Tess Lloyd (sailing), Jemima Montag (race walking), Brooke Stratton (long jump), Sinead Diver (marathon) and Anabelle Smith (diving), had shared their stories and experiences from Tokyo with 19 schools in Melbourne and regional Victoria.
The Institute said Olympian and Paralympian Melissa ‘Milly’ Tapper, who was in Tokyo for the Paralympic Games, also participated in live video chats from Japan.
“Tapper presented to Arnolds Creek Primary School (Melton West) last week and after her talk the students had been posting to their online learning portal non-stop since logging off, according to teacher Kaitlyn Foley,” the VIS said.
The Institute said that from her hotel quarantine, Olympic race walker Jemima Montag inspired hundreds of students and said connecting with the kids and sharing her Olympic experience was a huge part of her “why” factor.
Community Programs Coordinator at the VIS, Camilla Blands said the Be Fit. Be Well program encouraged primary and secondary school students to stay active and lead a healthy lifestyle.
“(The) program has been running for more than 20 years and helps promote physical activity and its links to wellbeing,” Ms Blands said.
“The program features live virtual classroom chats and pre-recorded presentations with elite athletes from the Victorian Institute of Sport,” she said.
Ms Blands said key topics, tailored for specific school year groups, included motivation, resilience, goal setting, coping with pressure, health and nutrition.
