Aspiring Olympians receive Pierre de Coubertin awards

TWO aspiring Olympians from the eastern suburbs were recognised for their elite performances on and off the field last week.

John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School student Jack Tu and Mercedes College student Morgan Aquino were among 22 secondary students who won a Pierre de Coubertin award after displaying the Olympic ideals of teamwork, fair play and sportsmanship.

Jack, who represented his school in athletics, cross-country, badminton and volleyball, wrote a literary piece about connecting with friends through sport after growing up in a family who fled Vietnam.

Morgan, who played basketball and volleyball for Mercy and soccer and cricket at state level, based her piece on a run where two runners demonstrated true courage and generosity of spirit.

Olympic swimmer Blair Evans, synchronised swimmer Danielle Kettlewell and kayakers Jesse Phillips and Stephen Bird talked about the Australian Olympic Team’s values and their Olympic journeys with the students.

The quartet and WA Olympic Council president Greg Kaedi presented the recipients with the certificates.

Evans, who won a 200m freestyle relay silver at the 2012 London Olympic, said she enjoyed sharing her experience with the students.

“For me it is a way to help others, hopefully be inspired by my words and maybe one day successfully achieve their individual goals they have set,” she said.

Phillips said athletes develop character traits through life and sport that were helpful in different ways.

“The impact the Games has on you and the desire to push yourself and be the best you can be, I hope the students can take that away with them,” she said.

“Hopefully we inspired a few more Olympians in whatever sport they choose.”

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