McDonald’s Loves Making Big Dreams Come True

McDonald's is sending 6 active kids on a once in a lifetime trip to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The winners entered the McDonald's Champions Kids Competition by telling the judges what they loved most about their favourite sport.

The 6 winners from Australia will be joining kids from across the globe, embarking on a once in a life time journey that can be shared here...

Our lucky winners will experience the best of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. From the Athletes Village to the Swimming at the National Aquatic Centre, these kids will be able to feel the passion and emotion that characterises the Olympic Games.

Their journey will then take them to The Great Wall of China, the Temple of Heaven and they will even get to see the Giant Pandas at the Beijing Zoo.

Follow the Champion Kids on their once in a life time journey through their daily diaries here...

BIANCA, Aged 8, ACT

Winning answer: Soccer, it’s skilful, fun and I love this team sport. I’m talented and proud to be following in my dads footsteps as a girl

Bianca decided to follow in her dad’s footsteps as a soccer player and started playing soccer last year for her school team. She trains with her team, The Redbacks, each week and competes in matches on Saturdays.

Her family are her biggest supporters and come to cheer her on each week. Her uncle also helps her with her skills and it was Bianca’s auntie who encouraged her to enter the McDonald’s Champion Kids competition.

Bianca always believed that she would be one of the winners in the competition and will even be taking her sports kit to the Beijing Olympic Games in case she needs to compete for Australia!

This will be Bianca’s first time overseas and she can’t wait to meet the other ‘Champion Kids’ in Beijing.

View Video: Bianca on Sunrise

SAKURAKO, Aged 11, QLD

Winning answer: I like athletics because I love the events. My Dad and Grandad did it when they were young so I like to continue the generation

Sakurako is a keen athlete and trains in athletics on both Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer. She started athletics 3 years ago and has already competed in the State Championships.

For Sakurako, the best bit about going to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be seeing how fast the sprinters run. As a keen sprinter herself, Sakurako enjoys winning awards and having fun with friends at her athletics club.

This will be Sakurako’s first trip to China and she is looking forward to trying the famous Chinese food.

View Video: Sakurako on Sunrise

ANGUS, Aged 13, WA

Winning answer: Tennis - for the love of the game and the fantastic feeling when you win match point and the indescribable sensation after shouting COMON!

Angus has been playing tennis since he was 5 years old and trains 2-3 times a week. His sporting hero is Andy Roddick and he likes him not only for his skill but because he has attitude!

Angus’ parents watch him compete in all his matches and were cheering him on when he won his first tournament at Freemantle two years ago.

When Angus found out that he had won the McDonald’s Champion Kids competition he told his best friend at tennis training who didn’t quite believe him. Angus didn’t quite believe it himself as he has never won a competition like this before! He has never been to China before and is looking forward to meeting the athletes.

View Video: Angus on Sunrise

AIDAN, Aged 10, VIC

Winning answer: Taekwondo is action-packed, offering maximum adrenalin rush. An Olympic-recognized sport, Taekwondo teaches me self-control and discipline. It develops courage and builds integrity.

Aidan is a huge taekwondo fan and trains regularly. He only started taekwondo 18 months ago and is already a black belt and participates in competitions.

When Aidan found out that he had won the McDonald’s Champion Kids competition, he couldn’t believe it.

Aidan cannot wait to go the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and hopes to see Australian Olympic athletes and the taekwondo and swimming competitions.

View Video: Aidan on Sunrise

ROBERT, Aged 12, SA

Winning answer: I love being able to play with my friends, compete against them and improve my skills all while having fun!

Robert is part of a Little Athletics Club and his favourite events are the sprints and hurdles. He is also a huge soccer fan and started playing when he was also just 5. Back then, he lived in England so it is no surprise that his favourite team is an English club, Manchester United.

Robert now plays for Cumberland United every Sunday in central defence and loves it when his team wins without letting any goals in!

One day, Robert hopes to be as good as his sporting hero, Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney. Until then he continues to train hard and gets lots of support and encouragement from his dad, the team manager.

CHAMPION PARENT COMPETITION WINNER

For the final sixth ticket to go to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Channel Seven’s Sunrise and McDonald’s asked kids to nominate the parent who helps them to achieve their sporting dreams. Our winner was 12 year old Mitchell from QLD, who nominated his dad.

Winning answer: In 2005, I started discus at school. I made it to State Championships but had no one to coach me. To help, Dad did a throws course. That year, I broke the national record. Dad's a great coach and now he helps lots of kids achieve their discus dreams.

Mitchell developed a love for discus after he won the event at his school’s athletics competition at the age of 10.

To help him go even further with his throwing, his dad Garth did a discus coaching course and they started daily training soon after that. Mitchell went on to win a string of competitions at regional, state and national levels, and in only five months, he went from throwing 18 metres to a record 43 metres.

Both Garth and Mitchell are really looking forward to seeing their sporting idols and hopefully getting some training ideas for when they come back home again!