WITH the 2016 Rio Olympics just a month away, schools from across Bracknell Forest have been taking part in their own virtual journey to Brazil.

Following the success of the schools’ Torch Relay prior to the London Olympics, a joint project between the Children Young People and Learning Department and the Leisure Section set out to complete the virtual journey from London to Rio.

Every day during the month of June, schools selected a couple of children to wear a specially designed T-shirt and a pedometer to count the number of steps they covered in a day.

The selection process was determined by the individual schools, but many opted to choose children that best displayed the Olympic values.

At the end of each week the number of steps were added together and mapped on a chart to show the progress towards the ultimate target of 9,259km Initially progress was slow. After almost two weeks the virtual journey had barely reached the coast of Portugal.

However, as the idea caught on and schools began to return increased distances the journey edged towards its final destination in Rio.

The accumulated distance grew and grew and last Thursday it was left to 100 children to walk a ceremonial lap of the Bracknell Leisure Centre Athletics Track to complete the journey.

This was followed by an afternoon of mini Olympic activities delivered by the Young Ambassadors from the Borough’s Secondary Schools.

Event Co-ordinator Sue Pike said: “We wanted to acknowledge the handing over of the Olympics from London to Rio and came up with the idea of all the schools working towards a virtual journey across the Atlantic.

“Everyone bought into the idea and although it was a bit slow to start with we managed to cover the distance we needed.

“Throughout the journey the schools have talked about the Olympic values including co-operation and friendship. We are very pleased with the way the project has been received and the outcome.”