Australians see Beijing Olympic torch

STUDENTS at a Werribee primary school yesterday became the first Aussies to see a 2008 Beijing Olympic torch.

The torch was revealed at the launch of an education program for schools to support Australia's team at the games in August through the internet.
Special Olympic lessons have been designed and posters from primary school students will decorate athletes' rooms in the Olympic Village.
Five-time Olympian Andrew Gaze said the program would help athletes as well as students.
The Boxing Kangaroo is the focus of the 2008 Olympic Education Program, and was a hit with students at Werribee's Manorvale Primary yesterday.
"The Boxing Kangaroo is a great motivator," said Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates.
"He spurs on our athletes at the cricket, the football and at the Olympics. Now he is inspiring our young students."
Mr Coates yesterday also set an ambitious target for our athletes in Beijing: to finish in the top five on the medal table for both gold medals and overall.
Deputy PM Julia Gillard and Olympians Gaze, Russell Mark, Claire Mitchell-Taverner and Nicole Livingstone helped to launch the Aspire program.
It encourages children to adopt the Olympic ideals of sportsmanship, pride, individual responsibility and respect.
The Games torch is due in Canberra on April 24 during its 137,000km relay through 21 countries from Athens to Beijing.