World Olympic Day celebrations merge sports, education, and community engagement.
To mark World Olympic Day, celebrated annually on June 23, Bel Ombre Primary School held a series of sports and educational activities. The aim was to motivate students to adopt a more active and healthy lifestyle while embracing the ideals of the Olympic movement. These activities ranged from shuttle relay, road race, egg and spoon race, javelin throw, bird’s nest, and rope skipping. Additionally, educational sessions like quizzes and debates further underscored the values of the Olympic ethos.
Jeffery Lagrenade, an executive Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (Socga) executive member, graced the event. The day’s proceedings commenced with a lively opening ceremony performed by the school’s talented students.
The school’s head teacher, Mrs. Stella Payet, emphasized that such activities are integral to Bel Ombre Primary School’s commitment to the Olympic movement. It’s an annual highlight in their activity calendar. “This event not only educates our students about the significance of Olympic values but also offers them an enjoyable experience,” Mrs. Payet remarked.
She further elaborated on this year’s theme, ‘Let us move’, saying, “To make this year’s event even more memorable, we decided to involve more stakeholders, such as media representatives and parents.” Mrs. Payet believes in diversifying learning approaches, blending academics with arts and sports. She asserts that this enables students to enhance their social skills, remain fit, and foster better interpersonal interactions. “Olympic Day seemed like the perfect opportunity to launch such endeavours,” she added. Mrs. Payet is hopeful that through these diverse learning experiences, students will discover their true passions, guiding them to become better citizens.
Ms Doreen Mirabeau, the school’s Physical Education (PE) teacher and head of the Olympic Club, shared the students’ enthusiasm. “The kids have been buzzing with excitement ever since we began preparing for the event,” she said. Although the Olympic club has been operational for five years, its activities were temporarily halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, the club boasts 38 active members. They engage in many sports activities every Friday afternoon, which resonates with the core Olympic principles of friendship, respect, and fair play. “Our yearly action plan is filled with exciting ventures such as camping, hiking, artistic activities, and educational visits,” Ms. Mirabeau informed.
In conclusion, let us celebrate the efforts of every individual who made this event a success. Through such events, we are reminded of the power of sports and education in shaping the future of our young minds. May we continue championing the Olympic spirit, fostering an environment where every child is encouraged to dream big, aim high, and reach for the stars.
