Olympians step in to give kids an extra push

Danyon Loader (left) and Sir John Walker team up to motivate kids. Photo / Janna Dixon

Olympic greats Danyon Loader and Sir John Walker have teamed up to get kids active.

The move is part of the New Zealand Olympics Committee's plan to develop closer ties with schools.

Lesson plans linking the Olympics with everyday subjects are being finished and committee commercial manager Terry Daly hopes they will be in 250 schools by the end of the year.

Daly said the committee was taking a new approach, instead of seeking support only once every four years to coincide with the Olympics.

Representatives would visit schools and give out medals to keep kids motivated, and not just for sporting activities.

Daly said passionate, hard-working children who needed an extra push would get "personalised letters" telling them to not give up.

As part of the new approach, the committee is strengthening ties with Sir John's foundation, which runs programmes at seven Manukau schools encouraging kids into sport.

Walker said since launching in 2008, the programme had helped reduce crime and keep kids focused.

"Some of these schools have said it's the best thing to happen to them. It ensures they come to school and stay out of trouble."

The first official link between Loader, who won two swimming golds at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, and Sir John, who won gold in the 1500m at Montreal in 1976, came last week.

They encouraged youngsters to take part in the Queen's Baton Relay in Manukau ahead of this year's Commonwealth Games in India.

The event is comparable to the Olympic torch relay, in which the game's symbol is taken to competing countries.