On 9th November, 5th and 6th class were joined via Zoom call by Irish Olympian Brendan Boyce as part of the Dare to Believe Olympic Schools programme, run by the Olympic Federation of Ireland.
Brendan is a 50km race walker and competed in the London 2012, and Rio 2016 Games for Ireland, as well as coming 6th in the World Championships in 2019. Brendan shared his story with the students, from growing up sprinting in Donegal and wanting to beat his brother, right up to being hopeful about his chances of a medal in Tokyo next year.
Throughout the talk Brendan described the dedication and commitment it takes to become an Olympic athlete. Brendan encouraged the students to think of something that they find joy in, work hard to fulfil their potential and ensure that they continue to enjoy the activity. Brendan also shared the philosophy of the Games with the students, highlighting that it not the winning but the taking part that counts. Some valuable life lessons not only for the students but for us all!
The students enjoyed the talk and some were lucky enough to ask Brendan a question at the end, where he revealed the nerves he gets before a race, the motivation to compete for a medal in Tokyo and revealed that becoming a physiotherapist was the back-up plan had he not become an Olympian.
by Evan O’Connor
Primary School PE Teacher
