Selected by a panel of Olympians from more than 1,000 nominations across the country, the 26 year 10 to 12 students were awarded medals at a ceremony with Olympians and AOC chief executive Matt Carroll.

The medals were produced by the Royal Australian Mint, an official partner of the Australian Olympic team for Tokyo 2020, with the company's chief executive Ross MacDiarmid also present.

The ceremony was part of a two-day summit, where the young Australians shared their community projects and learned from Olympians including rower Cameron Girdlestone, swimmers Brooke Hanson and Koti Ngawati, judoka Josh Katz, alpine skier Greta Small, basketballer Marianna Tolo and cyclist Kathy Watt.

During the summit, the Change-Makers also presented recommendations to the AOC on how the Olympic movement can affect change in key areas, including equality and diversity, sustainability, regional engagement, the benefits of sport and empowering the voice of young Australians.

"The AOC is committed to using the power of sport to make a difference," Carroll said.

"These 26 young leaders selected for the summit, and the thousand more who have been part of the inaugural Olympic Change-Maker programme, embody the Olympic spirit.

"From Olympians inspiring the country with incredible feats in the sporting arena, to young Australians making a small but extraordinary difference in their local community, the Olympic spirit is about making a positive impact and acting with respect, teamwork and sportsmanship.

"Congratulations to all the Olympic Change-Makers recognised today, we look forward to following your journey as you continue to demonstrate the Olympic spirit and lead in your communities."

More than 1000 year 11 and 12 students from every state and territory were nominated by their schools, with 700 attending state-based Olympic Change-Maker summits to share their journeys and learn from Olympians.

The 26 national Olympic Change-Makers, from every state and territory, were selected based on outstanding generosity and leadership in creating real impact in their communities.

"It's humbling to be in the room and hear the stories from the students, each with their own unique pathway to get where they are today," said Tolo.

"The energy from the students is incredible. 

"This is the next generation, with a whole different experience to the generation of current athletes.

"It's really important to listen to their input and provide our support, to help them use their unique experience to influence change.

"Being from North Queensland, I was so lucky that sport gave me the opportunity to travel and get exposed to people from different backgrounds. 

"The Olympic Change-Maker programme gives young people a platform to share their unique backgrounds, experiences and ideas to come up with fresh new ideas that can benefit people in their own communities and across the country."