The programme, which takes Olympians and athletes aspiring for Tokyo 2020 and beyond into schools across the country to motivate them to find their passion, was rewarded for the positive impact athletes are making across the state.

Olympics Unleashed has already taken elite athletes into the classrooms of more than 22,000 students from 180 schools across New South Wales.

"This award is great recognition of the incredible work Olympians and aspiring Olympians are doing in the community," said AOC chief executive Matt Carroll.

"The AOC is committed to use the spirit of the Olympics and the power of sport to inspire young people to be their best.

"Olympians have inspiring stories that go beyond sport. 

"An Olympic journey is never a straight line - having athletes sharing their stories, including the challenges and how they overcame them, is a vital lesson that can help young people no matter what their passion."

The programme, aimed at year nine students, is free for schools and available to every secondary school across the state.

Australian 400 metre Olympian Steve Solomon took part in the programme, visiting schools across the state in between training and competing on the journey to Tokyo 2020.

"It was an honour to accept this award on behalf all athletes that are part of the Olympics Unleashed programme," Solomon said.

"Unleashed is one of the best things I've ever been involved in - to be able to go into schools and relate to students with our stories, our goals, our challenges and fears and how they can use that themselves is a great opportunity. 

"You can see it in the kids' eyes that they're relating to the message." 

Five-time Olympic swimming gold medallist Ian Thorpe has also been involved in the programme.