Create meaningful conversations in your classroom

Use these videos, and the supporting questions below as form time activities or lesson starters to engage young minds in discussions about the Games and inspire our next generation of champions.

Mental strength and resilience

In this film, the athletes discuss how it felt to be chosen to represent Great Britain at the Games, the importance of support from the crowd, and how they dealt with setbacks and worries during the competition. Use this film to have a discussion with students about the importance of mental strength, resilience and failure, with questions such as:

1. What is your proudest accomplishment? How did it make you feel?
2. Why is it important to plan, or even practice, for when things go wrong? Can failure sometimes be a good thing? What can we learn from times when we don’t succeed?
3. Swimming is an individual sport, and yet Maisie says that one of the most important things for success is ensuring that you are surrounded by people who have the same goals as you and will make the journey fun. Why do you think these are important elements of success?

Host nation culture and customs

In this film, the athletes discuss what it was like to live in the Athlete Village during the Games, describe the French food they tried, and reflect on the value of the Games to bring people from all over the world together. Use this film to have a discussion with students about the importance of global events like the Games to bring people together, with questions such as:

1. What food from another country or culture would you like to try and why?
2. The Games aren’t just a sporting competition – they bring people from different cultures and nations together. Why do you think this is important?
3. The Olympic Values are excellence, respect and friendship. The four Paralympic values are determination, equality, inspiration and courage. Pick one and discuss why it is an important value to uphold in a sporting competition and in our day-to-day lives.

Healthy lifestyles

In this film, the athletes discuss the importance of good nutrition and how this must be paired with a healthy mindset to ensure they have the power to perform at their best. Use this film to have a discussion with students about the importance of fuelling our bodies correctly – both mentally and physically – to enable us to succeed, using questions such as:

1. Eating a healthy, balanced diet allows athletes to perform at their best during a competition. Think about an upcoming exam, performance of presentation you have. How can you ensure that your body is fuelled correctly to succeed?
2. Recovery after a high-pressure situation is really important. Do you allow yourself time to reflect on both success and failure? Share your ideas on how you do this or what you could do better.
3. Think about an event, exam or performance that you have coming up. How could Lewis’s advice help you build a healthy mindset to succeed? Do you believe you can succeed? Are you making sure the journey is fun? Are you determined to achieve your goal? What small changes could you make to adjust your mindset?