Students awarded for their Olympic spirit

With 41 days to go until the Beijing Olympics, more than 200 Queensland high school sporting achievers reflecting the Olympic spirit were recognised in Brisbane today at the 2008 Pierre de Coubertin Awards.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford joined Olympian Deborah Lovely—who will become the first female to represent Australia in weightlifting at two Olympic Games when she competes in Beijing—to congratulate recipients and present them with certificates and Olympic pins.

“The endeavours of these high school sporting achievers, both on and off the sporting field, exemplify the philosophies of the modern Olympics and those of their founder, Baron Pierre de Coubertin,” Mr Welford said.

“The Pierre de Coubertin Awards inspire students to achieve their personal best through the Olympic ideals of egalitarianism, dedication, effort, fairness, teamwork and chivalry.

“These students are positive role models who incorporate these Olympic ideals into their everyday endeavours.

“They are great representatives for their schools and for sport in Queensland.

“And in Queensland’s Year of Physical Activity, they are an inspiration to other students to take part in healthy sporting activity.”

One of the award recipients who is definitely counting down the days to the start of the Olympics is Blake Cochrane from Southern Cross Catholic College.

“Blake will be representing Australia in swimming at the Beijing Paralympics later this year,” Mr Welford said. “I wish him all the best in his events.”

Mr Welford said the State Government has been a proud partner in the annual awards since 1998.

“Our Government is pleased to support the Pierre de Coubertin Awards which play such an important role in the health and wellbeing of young Queenslanders,” he said.

All award recipients—from Years 10, 11 or 12—have represented their school, district or region in at least three competitive sports.

A full list of 2008 Pierre de Coubertin winners are available on the Queensland Olympic Council website: http://corporate.olympics.com.au/qld/.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985