On 28 May, Minister for Sport, Senator the Hon Kate Lundy, officially declared the Prime Minister’s Olympic and Paralympic Challenges open for participation. The event was held on the grounds of Parliament House.

With the Challenges having officially begun across Australia, the excitement continues to build towards the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as registered children across the country actively take part in sport.

Participation in the Prime Minister’s Olympic Challenge is open to schools, after-school care centres, sporting organisations and individuals.

School children in years five and six can also participate in the Prime Minister’s Paralympic Challenge which expands on the existing Paralympic Education Program and encourages primary school-aged children to be active and inclusive of others. Students will experience the Paralympics first-hand by participating in a combination of classroom and physical activities.

Senator Lundy said, 'I am very pleased to see so many children and organisations participating in the Prime Minister’s Olympic and Paralympic Challenges.

'I encourage all Australian primary school-aged children to get active by trying Olympic and Paralympic sports and have fun along their sporting journey. All participating children will be able to earn a gold, silver, bronze or participation certificate. Plus, they may even get the chance to win prizes along their sporting journey.'

The Australia Government, in partnership with the Australian Olympic Committee and the Australian Paralympic Committee, has developed the Prime Minister’s Olympic and Paralympic Challenge.

Craig Phillips, Secretary General Australian Olympic Committee said, 'The great thing about the Prime Minister’s Olympic Challenge is it gives school children throughout Australia the chance to try as many Olympic sports as possible.

'They get to experience the sports of their Olympic heroes. I would encourage children to have a go and have lots of fun trying new and interesting sports.'

The Prime Minister’s Olympic and Paralympic Challenges will tap into the spirit of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by encouraging primary school-aged children to emulate their sporting heroes in London.

The Olympic Challenge will conclude on 12 August (Olympic Games Closing Ceremony) and the Paralympic Challenge will conclude on 9 September (Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony).

For more information please log onto www.olympicchallenge.gov.au or www.paralympicchallenge.gov.au.