North West Sutherland Mini Olympics

 

After congregating at Durness Village square where the children were welcomed by the newest councillor to North West Sutherland Hugh Morrison the Parade was led by young piper Mark Macdonald from Scourie and torch bearer Mark McCowan to the games field renamed Olympia for the day. At the sports field they were met by the spirit of Olympus (Active schools coordinator John Wood) all dressed in the ancient attire of Olympia and playing the part throughout.

 

The North West Sutherland schools KLB High, Durness, Achfary, Scourie, and KLB primary joined by the preschool children held a “mini Olympics” in Durness last Tuesday. The children were all representing one of the five continents Africa, Europe, Asia, Australasia and the Americas dressed in colours of the Olympic circle cymbals. Each child had their appropriate coloured tee shirt which they were responsible for designing and decorating. This contributed to a very colourful occasion.

 

Several unusual events based around team work were arranged ensuring all the age groups had an equal chance. Riding the hobby horse which included overcoming several obstacles that became more difficult as the older children took their turn. The piggy back race with nursery kids riding on the back of the secondary children, Bean bag in the hula hoop, Hula hoops over the pole, water pistols at the skittle, primary and secondary bouncy castle dancing where they performed a routine while bouncing, Sumo wrestling where secondary boys wrestled in outrageously large outfits to clear their opponent of the wrestling mat. The children standing in team lines and holding hands from the smallest to the tallest had to pass a hula hoop from one end of the line to the other without breaking the chain of hand holding. Space bouncing relay the length of a track on large space hoppers, carry the jelly plate where each had to run a course carry jelly and the team who dropped the least and filled the bucket highest was the victor – the jelly was on a plate but carried on the head. Pass the water balloon over heads and between legs from  one end of the size line to the other, carry the water sponge to the bucket filling the bucket as full as possible, Tilt the bucket with the team captains wheeling through to avoid a soaking from the passenger in the barrow under a bucket of water. All the events happened in hilarity, fun and good spirit.

 

Gold coins were to be won throughout the tournament in three categories presented by the spirit of Olympia and in any of the events the judges judged in one of the categories. Excellent if the contestant came first, determination, they might not come first but where they overcame challenging difficulties with a spirit to do their best  and friendship awarded to those working together and supporting, not just those participating in a particular event but maintaining a bond and alliance within the team.

 

The final count up of the awarded coins for each event  was Europe 22 points awarded the Deli prize, America 23 points and the Chocolate medals, Asia 24 points and the Bronze medals, Africa 29 points earned silver medal and  Australia with 30 points won gold medals.