The 4th and 5th grade students at Brownwood Intermediate School and Coggin Elementary are lacing up for the Little Lion Olympics to be held from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Gordon Wood Stadium on Wednesday, May 23rd.
“Little Lion Olympics is a project that was brought to our attention as a way to introduce track to elementary students,” said Stephenia Phipps, BIS P.E. teacher and co-director of the School Health Advisory Committee (S.H.A.C). “I have done the Olympic theme with my 5th graders for about 3 years now and was looking for a way to make it bigger and better.”
This is the first annual Little Lion Olympics for the 4th and 5th graders, and events will include longer races (400m/800m) for the long distance runners and shorter races (50m, 100m, and 200m) for the sprinters. Students can also sign up for field events such as the javelin, shot put, and long jump. “We tried to create several running and field events so that each student can find one they can learn about and be successful in,” said Phipps. “All of them will compete in the tug-of-war tournament.”
The event has received a great response from the community, and a final list of sponsors is still being compiled. “We sent letters to businesses and with the students to offer a chance for anyone in the community to sponsor the event,” Phipps said. “We received numerous volunteer letters back, which is always needed with an event this big.”
Contributing to the organization and coordination of the Little Lion Olympics are Coach Don Hood (BHS PE teacher and track coach), Charles Chesser (BIS principal), Todd Lewis (Coggin principal), Helen Lacy (Nurse, co-director of S.H.A.C., and in charge of food/concessions) and Coach Eric Green (Coggin PE teacher). “We have also worked closely with Coggin PTO and BIS PTO,” acknowledged Phipps. “The PTO’s will be providing Gatorade for each student.”
Opening ceremonies will feature a variety of Olympic events including a procession of athletes and a presentation of original flags representing each team that will compete throughout the day.
In a style similar to the actual Olympics, winners of each event will be recognized and awarded. “Top finishers will stand on a podium as they receive their ribbons,” Phipps said. “I hope that each student has a fun-filled day of competition, friends, Olympic knowledge, sportsmanship, and teamwork.”
See full schedule of events below.
Schedule of Events
9:00 – Opening Ceremony
* All teams walk into the stadium carrying their original flags with grand entry music (See map) Follow the entry arrows. The x’s are 4th graders and the o’s are 5th graders.
* Lighting of the Torch
* Reading of the Olympic Oath (everyone repeat) and Olympic Creed
* Release of the Doves
* National Anthem
* Declare the Games officially BEGIN!!
9:30 – 4th grade RUN (middle of the Field)
– 50 yard dash
– 50 yard hurdles
– 100 yard dash
– 400 yard dash (on the Track with 5th grade)
– 800 yard run (on the Track with 5th grade)
– 400 yard Relay
9:30 – 5th grade Field Events / Long Distance Run (on track and outer)
1. Long Jump
2. Shot Put
3. Javelin Throw
4. 800 run – 4th grade girls and boys
– 5th grade girls and boys
5. 400 Run – 4th grade girls and boys
– 5th grade girls and boys
11:30 – 12:30 – Lunch
**We will have the full concession stand. We will have sack lunch for students who normally have school lunch. Water and Gatorade will also be at the concession stand. Volunteers will have lunch provided.
**Announcement of the Winners of the morning (Podium 1 and Podium 2)
12:30 – SWITCH Running and Field Events
12:30 – 5th grade Run (on track)
– 50 yard
– 50 yard hurdles
– 100 yard dash
– 200 yard dash
– 400 yard RELAY
– 800 yard RELAY
– Mile RELAY
12:30 – 4th Grade Field Events ( around the track)
1. Long Jump
2. Basketball Throw
3. Javelin
4. Tug – of – War
2:00 – CLOSING CEREMONY
* Announcement of winners of the afternoon and team totals and flag winner
* Extinguish the flame
* Games over
* Clean up
** We will promote and have have lead up games and trivia centered around the OLYMPICS.