Olympic legends Cathy Freeman and Herb Elliott came together to rally for the health of Australian children. Cathy and Herb are encouraging Brisbane youngsters to take 15,000 steps a day in an effort to change their long-term health, wellbeing and physical fitness.

Running for 50 days from September, the inaugural Global Children’s Challenge™ will play a critical role in changing the behaviour and attitudes of Brisbane youth as well as children across the country, by presenting physical activity as fun, stimulating and worthwhile. Children will wear a pedometer every day and log their steps into an interactive website which takes them on a virtual journey around the world.

An alarming 25% of Australian children are overweight or obese. If weight gain continues on its current path, 80% of all Australian adults and a third of Australian children will be overweight or obese by 2020.1

“The health of our future generations is at serious risk and it is our responsibility as individuals, as parents, teachers, businesses and organisations to do our bit in educating today’s youth,” said Australian Olympic champion Cathy Freeman OAM.

“A number of studies indicate that Australian children today are ranked as one the most inactive of all developed countries2,” said Cathy Freeman. “As these habits track into adulthood it increases the future chance of bad heart health, increased metabolic risk and even cancer. The Global Children’s Challenge aims to overturn these unhealthy patterns and reverse the long-term implications and risks associated with inactivity in childhood.”

Herb Elliott, Global Corporate Challenge® Chairman and Australian Olympic champion says Australian companies can now help improve the health of future generations.

“In 2010 for every company which enrols a participant in the Global Corporate Challenge®, a child in the community will be sponsored in the Global Children’s Challengeâ„¢ at no cost to the school, or to parents. This year, Global Corporate Challenge® is aiming to sign up 50,000 Australian participants, (120,000 worldwide) so that means 50,000 Australian children will have the opportunity to take part in this exciting program,” said Herb.

Brisbane companies can now make a difference not only to the health, mental wellbeing, fitness and productivity of their workforce, but also make a significant impact on the fitness habits of Brisbane youth.

“I am proud to be involved in the launch of the Global Children’s Challengeâ„¢ and encourage all Brisbane workers to persuade their companies or colleagues to sign up and get the world moving,” said Cathy.

For more information on the Global Children’s Challengeâ„¢, or to register for the Global Corporate Challenge®, go to www.gettheworldmoving.com.au.