Olympic Month is underway in Lithuanian primary schools for the sixth successive year ©LTOK

Double Olympian and 2018 world champion swimmer Danas Rapšis is among leading Lithuanian sporting figures promoting the Olympic Month project for primary schoolchildren throughout October.

The Lithuanian National Olympic Committee (LTOK) initiative, lasting until October 29, is underway for a sixth successive October.

The scheme will introduce thousands of elementary school students to the principles of a healthy lifestyle, and Rapšis, world short course champion in the 400 metres freestyle in 2018, is among well-known Lithuanian athletes offering advice.

A record number of 2,800 classes from all 60 municipalities registered for the project this year, and it is estimated that around 55,000 young people will be involved.

"This year, we have prepared a large package of active tasks, which the teachers will present in their classes every day, both during lessons and breaks,” said Kasparas Šileikis, director of Olympic education for LTOK.

"Parents will also be involved in the project, who together with their children will do the ‘homework’ of the Olympic month on weekends - they will cook healthy dishes, go on hikes, talk about emotions and discover new ways of relaxation.

"Famous Olympians will also share their experiences.

"For example, the participants of the project will be able to see what a swimmer Danas Rapšis' day looks like from morning to evening."

Double Olympic swimmer and 2018 world champion Danas Rapšis is involved in the Olympic Month project taking place in Lithuanian primary schools in October ©Getty Images
Double Olympic swimmer and 2018 world champion Danas Rapšis is involved in the Olympic Month project taking place in Lithuanian primary schools in October ©Getty Images

When it started six years ago the LTOK initiative was called the Olympic Week, but very quickly it became clear there was a demand for a longer project.

"Our greatest wish is to give primary schoolchildren more knowledge about a healthy lifestyle," Šileikis added.

"Children are already at an age when their habits begin to form.

"We want to make a positive contribution to the formation of the habits of primary schoolchildren - to explain what emotions are and how to accept them.

"We will also talk about quality recreation and the damage caused by technology."

Šileikis said that Olympians contacted to be part of the project "really don't need to be persuaded," adding: "Since the project has been going on for several years athletes are following it and are interested.

"We told Danas the vision and goals of the project and he immediately agreed to join because he wants to contribute to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.

"This attitude of the athletes makes us very happy."

The initiative is patronised by the first lady of the country, Diana Nausėdienė.