The 'Olympic Movement Breaks' is an easy-to-use format, consisting of a series of short videos in a variety of sports, including athletics, boxing, rugby sevens, swimming, breakdancing, and powerlifting. These videos are led by Olympians and elite athletes who demonstrate fun exercises and activities that students of all abilities can participate in.

With the shared goal of highlighting the many benefits of physical activity, 'Dare to Believe' and the 'Active School Flag Programme' are using the 'Olympic Movement Breaks' to encourage schools to take part in a four-week 'Active Break Every Day' challenge. Twelve athletes lead simple and fun three to five minutes exercises that require no additional resources.

Teachers will have access to a chart to mark the videos that their class completes each day during the four-week challenge, which runs from Monday 13 November to Friday 8 December with additional resources available alongside the videos, allowing children to learn more about the athletes featured through their biographies and information about their respective Olympic sports. They will also learn about the history and values of the Olympic Games and have the opportunity to take part in a fun Olympic quiz at the end of each week.

The OFI Dare to Believe programme is supported by PTSB, the official sponsor of Team Ireland at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Olympic Movement Breaks were created by the Dare to Believe co-founders Roisin Jones and Roisin McGettigan-Dumas, with input from the Olympic athletes who participated in the programme and from several teacher advisors.

Speaking at the launch of Olympic Movement Breaks, Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne, said: "I am delighted to officially launch the 'Olympic Movement Breaks' with the Olympic Federation of Ireland's 'Dare to Believe Programme' and the 'Active School Flag Programme', working together to address the challenges of declining levels of physical activity among our youth. It shows what can be achieved when government departments and agencies work together towards a common goal".

"'The Olympic Movement Breaks' have been developed to encourage primary schools to get involved in the 'Active Break Every Day Challenge', run annually by the 'Active School Flag Programme', which aims to get more schools, more active. The Olympic Movement Breaks will certainly support schools in this ambition in a fun and inclusive way," she commented.

"Incorporating physical activity opportunities such as this into the school day has a positive impact on the physical health and mental wellbeing of our primary school pupils, as well as bringing benefits to the teaching and learning process. I would encourage all schools across the country to take part in this initiative, and I look forward to hearing about schools' experiences of this fun and exciting challenge," she added.

Dare to Believe was co-founded by Beijing 2008 Olympians Roisin McGettigan-Dumas and Roisin Jones. Speaking at the launch of the 'Olympic Movement Breaks', Jones remarked: "'Dare to Believe' is delighted to be working with 'Active Flags' to deliver its latest fun but functional initiative for primary schools. We've created over 20 'Olympic Movement Breaks' and encourage teachers to use our them whenever their pupils need a five minute reset. It will give children an introduction to Team Ireland's Olympic athletes and challenge them to take part in a sports-related activity."

Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing, and the National Drug Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton T.D., said: "Promoting physical activity for health is one of the Department's priorities, and I am particularly pleased with any initiative that encourages children and young people to get active and stay active. I am delighted to welcome the launch of the 'Olympic Movement Breaks' programme, and I encourage everyone to join our Olympic and Paralympic heroes in striving for a healthy body and mind."