2000 School Magazine

tichievers in sport

THE PIERRE DE couBERTAiN AWARD

Pierre de Coubertin was the spiritual founder of the modern Olympic movement. The Awards named to recognise and celebrate his contribution, and the Olympic movement in general, began in 1993 in New South Wales. The Minister for Education, Hon. David Hamill M. L. A. ,introduced the award into Queensland in 1995. Brisbane Girls Grammar has been involved from that year and many of Grammar's elite athletes have contributed to this event sharing their perceptions of what it means to be an athlete and their understanding of the Olympic ideals. The purpose of the awards is to recognize those students who demonstrate attributes that are consistent with the fundamental aims of the Olympic movement through their participation in sporting endeavours; to enhance self-esteem of student recipients; to develop sportsmanship and citizenship; and to increase public awareness of school sport and the Olympic Movement. Applicants who fulfil the criteria are invited to submit a nomination and an independent school judge selects the winning application, which is submitted to the Queensland Olympic Council. The school representative is then invited to a ceremony to receive a certificate signed by the President of the Australian Olympic Committee and has the opportunity to meet Olympic sporting heroes.

This year Grammar's awardee was Geordan Shannon from Year 10. Her poem, When. .., encapsulated the very essence of striving for that ultimate goal, whether an Olympic medallist or a schoolgirl athlete.

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When. . .

When their burning desire is the Olympic flame When their dreams are as vivid as the real competition

When the beating of their hearts falls in the rhythm of victorious trumpeting When their persistence is as long-lasting as a marathon runner's stamina When their demeanor is as cool and smooth as a still untouched rowing course When the raw strength of their muscles resembles the structure of stadiums When their freshness is the pristine dew on a softball diamond When their hidden excitement and nerves jump around like banners and streamers When they explode into action like a starting gun cracking When they fly more swiftly than birds When exhaustion shows on their faces red as the tartan athletics track When their aspirations can be shattered like a clay pigeo, , When their disappointment stings like the biti g cold and burning heat ^

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When the joy in their hearts roars loude than the massed crowds When glory shines like a gold medal When they are the essence of the Olympics When they are an a hlete

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