As the Olympic Games kicked off in Rio, Brazil, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) continued its Olympic Roadshow across the province. This time the Roadshow made its way to St Helena Bay on the West Coast, on 9 August 2016, coinciding with Women’s Day.
The age group for the day was 9 – 12 years and approximately 200 children from the St Helena Bay Primary School, EJ Malgarte Primary School (Stompneusbaai), Steenberg Cove Primary School and HP Williams Primary School (Laingville) participated in the events. This event forms part of a build-up towards the main event, which will be the Olympic Day taking place in the Cape Winelands later this year.
The Olympic Roadshow consisted of Olympic education and fun activities where children had the opportunity to demonstrate their sporting abilities. A highlight of the day was West Coast Gymnastics teaching children the basic skills of the sport code which is currently on show at the Olympic Games. West Coast Gymnastics also forms part of one of the codes of the West Coast District Sport Academy System.
During the Olympic Education session, Women’s Day was honoured when children were taught about the various roles of women at the Olympic Games. Stories were told about women who participated at the Olympic Games and how they became role models and inspired generations of women and girls. A few women that were highlighted during the Olympic Education session included Natalie du Toit, Caster Semenya, Elana Meyer and Penny Heyns.
Carlton Frazenburg, a Federation Liaison Officer at DCAS said: “The Roadshow is something great because we are taking the message of the Olympic Games to smaller parts of the Western Cape. The Education part is a wonderful initiative – the kids are being educated and they are learning in the process.”
The values of the Olympics of Excellence, Friendship and Respect were certainly kept alive on the day. The Olympic Torch will now make its way to the upper West Coast (Doring Bay), where it will continue to spread the message of Olympism.
Let us continue to support the youth in their endeavours to 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