Spirit of 2012 lives on at St Joseph’s Rochdale Mini Olympics

St Joseph’s Primary proved that the sporting legacy of the 2012 Games lived on as they took part in a Mini Olympic Games day

Pupils at St Joseph’s Primary in Rochdale proved that the sporting legacy of the 2012 Games lived on as they took part in a full-on Mini Olympic Games day hosted at the school by Commando Joe’s.

With over 250 pupils, 150 parents, fifteen separate competitive events and some unusually good weather, the day was a resounding success for everyone involved.

Karl Stevens, an instructor with Commando Joe’s, set up the various activities, including discus, penalty shoot-out, tug-of war, sprints, sponge javelin and many others, and then watched the St Joseph’s pupils compete against each other for Mini-Olympic glory.

Karl comments: “This day was incredible. This is an amazing school, with amazing kids and an amazing attitude, so it was really good for us to get in there and give them something that wasn’t the bog-standard boring sports day.”

The event itself was followed by a presentation ceremony at school assembly two days later, which saw 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes awarded in each of the events as well as special Ultimate Olympian awards, only seven of which were handed out in the whole school.

“Ultimately, this day was all about the kids,” Karl comments. “They all gave 110% and they made the Mini Olympics the success it was.

"Commando Joe’s motto is ‘No Child Left Behind,’ but today it was me trying to keep up with them!”