Students gear up to celebrate World Sport Day

School Reporters Edith and Callum with Team GB athlete Charlie Walker

By School Reporters Edith and Callum
From Jo Richardson Community School, London

Inflatable globes, hundreds of flags across the floor and the Olympic and Paralympic mascots filled the Copper Box at the Olympic Park today - the venue that will eventually host the handball, goalball and the fencing discipline of modern pentathlon during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

And Jo Richardson Community School (JRCS) students were there to take part, as plans for World Sport Day 2012, on 25 June 2012, were announced.

Along with triple jump Olympic legend Jonathan Edwards, some of the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes were also amongst the crowd and dancing to the samba drums to support the idea.

World Sport Day aims to celebrate all countries competing at London 2012

The aim of World Sport Day is to encourage students all over the UK to celebrate the athletes and cultures of the world before the Olympic Games begin.

At today's launch students from JRCS celebrated diversity as they lifted a model of the world with Zoe Smith, a 17 year-old weightlifter and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist.

Despite being so young Zoe copes well with pressure, explaining that she takes each day as it comes and doesn't look too far to the future.

Zoe inspired Chairman of JRCS Student Sports and Dance Council, Katherine, who said this London 2012 event allowed her to learn more about the Olympic and Paralympic values, and how to take on the role of a leader.

JRCS pupils hold a model of the world aloft with Team GB athlete Zoe Smith

Keen to encourage young people to get involved in sport another guest, 18 year-old Klara Weaver explained how, at 5ft 6in, she is short for a GB Junior Team rower. However, she has not let her height stop her achieving her goals.

Klara says that having heart and passion has been key to her success so far, and standing on an international podium winning a medal is the best feeling.

As part of the preparation for World Sport Day, JRCS students are planning to hold a 'Mini Disability Games' so it was great to speak to one of Team GB's Paralympic hopefuls, Charlie Walker.

Charlie told us he wants to raise the profile of his sport: sitting volleyball. He said, "The more people who watch, hopefully the more people will play".

It was great to be part of this event and start feeling the excitement ahead of the world's best athletes coming to London for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the summer.