HUNDREDS of children took part in their own mini version of the Olympics which aimed to celebrate their courage and determination.

Pupils from six schools came together at The Burgate School in Fordingbridge which saw them take part in running, throwing and jumping activities in the field.

It started with an opening ceremony for the event, which saw some of the children read poems with introductions by Faye Ritchie, a PE teacher from The Burgate School who organised the games.

The participants aged between around four and 10 years old came from Fordingbridge, Hale, Hyde, Breamore, Alderbury and West Grimstead and Western Downland Primary Schools for the fourth year of the mini Olympics.

Faye said: “We had almost 900 children competing in the infants and juniors competitions.

“There was a competition based on the amount of points each team had won, but there were also prizes based on the values of the Olympic and Paralympic values, which meant that prizes didn’t just go to the sportiest children.”

Pupils used bean bags, tennis rackets and balls, cones and batons to take part in the various challenges.

Faye said that there were 58 teams taking part, with up to 18 members in each team.

The prizes were presented to the winning teams by the Fordingbridge Mayor Malcolm Connolly, who championed the children’s efforts.

Faye added:“These prizes aimed to reward children on points such as respect, courage and determination.

“I was really pleased with how well it went and all the children got fully involved and were really enthusiastic.

“I am so incredibly proud of our sports team leaders, who are a credit to the school.

“The students were amazing to step up and help. We had a couple of rainstorms but mainly it was sunny all day.”

Faye said that there was a really nice atmosphere to the event, with one child in a wheelchair getting to take part in the inclusive activities.

She also said that the children from the six schools all got on well together and chatted despite having never met before.

The Rio 2016 Olympics will be held from August 5th to the 21st featuring 42 sports disciplines and participants from 206 different countries.