The 17th annual inspire+ Mini Olympics, took place at the Grantham Athletics Stadium across the 11th, 12th & 13th June. inspire+ run the Mini Olympics as an end of year celebration for its member schools and this year saw the 3-day event grow even bigger, allowing over 2,528 young people to be involved in the games, its biggest year to date!
The Mini Olympics hosted primary schools from across Grantham, Stamford, Market Deeping, Peterborough, Lincoln, Vale of Belvoir and the surrounding areas. For many of the children involved, it was their first-time taking part in a large sports event, particularly one where they are encouraged to join in with a student-led, animated opening and closing ceremony alongside participating in up to 14 different Olympic and Paralympic sports.
The charity’s Ambassadors, Jonathan Broom-Edwards, Sarah Outen MBE, Dai Green, and Joe Roebuck were part of the celebrations meeting the children and signing their programmes. The Games were helped to come to life by the involvement of the Royal Opera House and local carnival bands.
Supporting the running of the event are several local business sponsors to which inspire+ are very grateful. “We are extremely thankful to this year’s main sponsor Richard & Angela Maxwell, without their generosity this years games would not have been possible. We would also like to thank our other key sponsors and partners who include South Kesteven District Council, The Rotary Club of Grantham Swimarathon, The Royal Opera House, KBR Gas & Oil Services & 247 Clothing Direct.”
The charity’s Sports Leadership Academy students, Young Ambassador and Apprentices play a key part in the setting up and running of the games, without them it would not be possible.
Operations Manager, Chris Graves said after the event: “The Mini Olympics is such a magical event for everyone involved. We hope that the children who take part will be inspired to perhaps try new sports, become more physically active and lead healthy lifestyles. The Mini Olympics is our one mass event of the year and it is great to see all our schools come together after another hugely successful year for inspire+. We could not run this event without the support of local businesses and the dedication of our team of staff and volunteers. Thank you!”
This years event was linked to the Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place in Paris, children have been doing cross-curricular work on this great event ahead of the games and everyone gives their best wishes to the local athletes competing.
The Mini Olympics in numbers:
- 100 volunteers per day from local secondary schools’ part of the charities Sports Leadership Academy
- 13th June: 770 primary school children took part
- 14th June: 769 primary school children took part
- 15th June: 689 primary school children took part