Fifty AISS students were invited to meet the 150 strong Australian Youth Olympic Games team last Friday.
Hosted by the Anglo Chinese School, the welcome Reception for the Australian athletes was organised by the Australian High Commission. The official welcome included the introduction of the Australian team and the banners were paraded from the sports they represented.
Dual Olympic gold medal winning rower, Nick Green OAM, Chef de Mission of the Australian Team then addressed the 500 strong crowd of Australian team supporters and announced 16 year old Liz Parnov as the teams official flag bearer for the opening ceremony. Parnov spoke to the crowd of her pride in being selected to lead the team and the importance of hard work and perseverance in achieving her dream of representing Australia. Students were then able to meet personally with members of the YOG Australian team from a variety of sports. Members of our Student Representative Councils, School Captains from across the Primary, Middle and Senior School gained autographs, photos and had the opportunity to ask what it was like to be in the inaugural Youth Olympic Games.
The event concluded with an address from Australian Idol contestant, Jessica Mauboy who wished the team every success and a presentation of traditional dance from Anglo Chinese School students.
Australian team athletes were then warmly cheered from the reception through a tunnel of excited students as they departed to return to the athletes village.
