To celebrate the opening of the Prime Minister’s Olympic and Paralympic Challenges, the Minister for Sport, Senator the Hon. Kate Lundy, attended an event at Quakers Hill Public School in Western Sydney on Wednesday 30 May.

This event aimed to communicate to local organisations that it is not too late to register for the Challenges. At the event, over 40 students had the opportunity to try a number of Olympic and Paralympic sports in a fun, safe and inclusive environment. 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.’

Through the Olympic and Paralympic Challenges, Prime Minister Julia Gillard is encouraging all Australian primary school-aged children to try a variety of Olympic and Paralympic sports. The Challenges were developed by the Australian Government, in partnership with the Australian Olympic Committee and the Australian Paralympic Committee.

Craig Phillips, Secretary General of the Australian Olympic Committee, said, ‘The great thing about the Prime Minister’s Olympic Challenge is it provides school children throughout Australia with 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 heroes competing in London.

For more information, visit www.olympicchallenge.gov.au or www.paralympicchallenge.gov.au.