![An variety of fun activities were organised to keep everyone entertained An variety of fun activities were organised to keep everyone entertained](https://www.westerncape.gov.za/sites/www.westerncape.gov.za/files/an_variety_of_fun_activities_were_organised_to_keep_everyone_entertained.jpg)
It was in the Olympic Spirit (ignited in Philadelphia on Youth Day) that the Olympic Roadshow along with the Olympic Torch made its way to the Eden District – the conclusion of the Roadshow coinciding with International Olympic Day on 23 June. The towns that experienced this glorious tradition included Plettenberg Bay, George and Groot Brak, with the Olympic Education Programme taking place at Plettenberg Bay Primary School on Tuesday 21 June, St Mary’s Primary School on Wednesday 22 June and Freimersheim Primary School on Thursday 23 June 2016. The event was organised by the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS).
The Eden Olympic Roadshow held a special significance, being held near the home of the late Mr Goliath Munro who served as President of the Western Cape Provincial Sport Confederation (WCPSC) from the first Olympic Day in 2013 until his death on 1 January 2016. Mr Munro championed the Olympic Values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect among people, particularly among the youth. It was in honour of his hard work and dedication that one of the Olympic Programmes took place at St Mary’s Primary School in George where he was once the principal.
The three-day Roadshow was jam-packed with fun activities for both children and adults. Through Olympic Education, children were taught about the values of Olympism, about the Ancient Olympic Games and the impact they had on the Modern Olympic Games. In the year of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Rio 2016), the children were beaming with excitement to hear inspirational stories about the Olympic and Paralympic heroes. They also learned about the meaning behind Olympic symbols such as the Olympic Rings.
The children learned about the effects that social ills have on the community and engaged in interactive social awareness programmes. They were taught techniques to overcome certain social ills such as bullying and how to strengthen their self-esteem and self-confidence, and thereafter, in true Olympic fashion, one of the highlights of the programme was the lighting of the Olympic Torch which signified the beginning of the Games.
Children from the schools engaged in fun sport and recreational activities. Aged between 9 and 12 years, they learned various skills through a mini Olympics sports programme and indigenous games. Alison Leo, a DCAS provincial administrator, reported: “The Olympic Day Roadshow was very inspiring and the children really enjoyed the programme. It made them very excited and they remained enthusiastic about the day’s activities,” she said.
The Olympic Roadshow left a legacy in Eden before continuing its way to the West Coast.
Let us continue to support the youth in their endeavours to try and combat social ills through sport and recreation in the Western Cape, BETTER TOGETHER.
Tania Colyn
Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877
E-mail: tania.colyn@westerncape.gov.za