On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the Lausanne 2020 youth Olympic Games, Vaud Generations Champions, in partnership with the Lausanne Capitale Olympique Foundation, organized “the biggest gym lesson” never held in the canton. It was given by 29 Vaudois elite athletes.
As part of the Olympic day, 1,136 students, from the four corner of the canton, gathered at the Pierre de Coubertin stadium in Lausanne to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Lausanne 2020 Olympic Youth Games. The association Vaud Generations Champions, in partnership with the Lausanne Olympic Capital Foundation, organized the “largest gym lesson”.
“Sport is the pleasure of being together”
Students aged 6 to 15 (from 3 a.m. to 11 a.m.), from 64 classes, participated in this giant lesson led by 29 elite athletes, medalists on the world, European or Olympic scene. A moment both festive and symbolic “which gives meaning to the involvement of sport at school”, as Cédric Blanc, director general of compulsory education and specialized pedagogy of the canton of Vaud tells us.
It is not less than half of the supported athletes including participants in the Olympics and Olympians who took turns. Students have sweated by following the movements of Marc Rochat, Pablo Lachat [OLY]Frédérique Rol [OLY]Charles beforehay [OLY]Cathia Schaer [OLY]Fanny Smith [OLY] And many more. A successful bet for Anne-Sophie Thilo, project manager Vaud Generations Champions.
The rain was invited during the lesson to refresh young athletes. (© Petar Mitrovic)
The downpour that was invited during the morning did not discourage the athletes either, quite the contrary. Sarah Atcho-Jaquier, sprinters and Vaudoise Olympian, was on site.
“Stars full of eyes”
For the president of Vaud Generations Champions, this morning had several objectives: to transmit the values of Olympism, to encourage physical activity from an early age and bring youth closer to his sports models.
“Being part of the next generation” is precisely what Enola Huck already dreams, 12, pupil in Sépey.
The event also welcomed several classes with students with specific needs. This first is the continuity of the “1 class – 1 champion” program proposed by Vaud Generations Champions. Since 2022, it has enabled more than 5,500 Vaud students to receive the visit of elite sportsmen in class.
