The Paris Olympics are officially over but the memories for students from a small public school in regional New South Wales will last a lifetime. They created drawings to help decorate the walls of Australian athletes’ rooms in the Paris Olympic village.
Their delivery of artworks followed an invitation to a number of NSW public schools to unleash their creativity and help brighten the athletes’ home away from home during the Paris Olympic games.
The Olympic-inspired artworks by 34 students from Meadow Flat Public School conveyed a message of support and encouragement for the athletes’ achievements and dedication.
Olympic dreams
One special Olympic Village artwork submission was created by School Sports Australia Nationals swimming champ, Lyndall Peychers.
The Year five student hopes to follow in the footsteps of Australian Olympic swimmer Emma McKeon and recently won silver medals in 100m backstroke and 50m backstroke and placed fourth in the finals for 100m freestyle at the 2023 School Sports Australia Nationals swimming championships.
11-year-old Peychers says she was inspired to create her own Olympic artwork as a gift for her swimming role-model.
“Emma shows how much dedication you need to put into your training to come out with success in the pool,” she says.
“She is kind to others and motivates her teammates and others to strive for their best too.”
As a swimmer herself, Peychers says “I know how much hard work and endless hours of dedicated training, along with the huge love for the sport that is required to be successful in your chosen sport”.
“Like Emma, I strive to do well in the pool and have had great success in my swimming, and I like to look up to Emma and hope that one day I could be as great as her.”
Peychers has previously been coached by Emilie Miller, a Paralympian in wheelchair rugby at the 2024 Paralympic Games.
“I am eagerly anticipating supporting her as she competes in Paris,” she says.
Passionate aspirations
Principal Michael Wood believes Peychers’ message resonates with anyone following their passion and aspiring to success in their chosen field.
“Drawing parallels between her own swimming journey and McKeon’s illustrious career, Lyndall has achieved so much, echoing McKeon’s ethos of hard work and passion for the sport,” Wood says.
Students from Copacabana Public School, Douglas Park Public School, Fairvale Public School, Neutral Bay Public School and Northmead Public School also contributed artworks.
