Olympic champion Mahe Drysdale and BMX silver medallist Sarah Walker will speak at the opening of the NZCT AIMS Games intermediate pupil sports competition on Sunday, September 9.

Tournament director Vicki Semple says everyone involved in the event is 'very excited” to have the gold medal winning single skuller speak to the young athletes and supporters at the opening.

Former Tauranga Boys' College student Mahe Drysdale will speak at the opening of the AIMS Games.

'He was our number one pick. We think he will be so inspirational for everyone – he was the flag-bearer at the Beijing Olympics and he carried the flag out in London, what more could you ask for?”

Vicki says they were appreciative he had been so generous to find time in his busy schedule for the event.

'No matter what he talks about I'm sure it will be inspiring and motivating for everyone.”

Tauranga Intermediate School principal and AIMS games founder Brian Driver says it was a bonus to have such a talented former pupil of Tauranga Intermediate School and Tauranga Boys' College speak at the event.

Brian started at the school after Mahe had left so did not have any insights on what he was like as a pupil.

'You couldn't have a better person talk to this group of 6000 young sports people.

'It's special to the whole region (having Mahe speak). The Western Bay of Plenty Schools in particular produce a great crop of athletes and academics – you just need to look at how many of the recent Olympians came from the area.”

The record number of athletes competing at the week-long tournament cannot all fit in TECT Arena at Baypark for the opening ceremony, so the event will be broadcast live to the overflow on big screens in two adjoining functions rooms.