In summer 2022, we challenged young people aged 5–14 to design a comic strip to show their vision of a future Olympic or Paralympic Games. Our judges had 1,040 amazing entries to consider, submitted by young people from across England, Scotland and Wales.
The judges were impressed by the consideration given to including healthy food, futuristic sports and sustainable practices throughout. Shortlisted entries included visions of athletes who compete in moon jumping, solar powered scooter races, and tree climbing events – cheered on by spectators in full VR body suits. Robots also featured heavily, helping to ensure athletes were fuelled by a healthy, balanced meal before going on to win diamonds and fruit-based prizes, instead of the traditional gold, silver and bronze!
The winning comic strip design came from Maya, age 9, a student at St Monica’s Primary School, Warrington, who was also the winner in the 7–11 age category.
Maya’s comic strip story takes place 1,000 years in the future, at the 3024 Olympic Games. It follows an intergalactic athlete who eats a balanced breakfast of giant space fruit, a power bar and a doughnut, before going on to win gold in a brand-new event – space surfing!
Taking home gold in the 5–7 age category, is George, aged 6, from Westbourne Primary School in Sutton. He imagined an Olympic Games where athletes compete in running and hoverboard races – all fuelled by healthy food, picked directly from onsite trees or prepared by robots!
Our final comic strip champion is Nusaybah, aged 12, from Azhar Academy Girls School in London (11–14s winner). Nusaybah’s high-tech future follows Olympic and Paralympic athletes who choose a healthy breakfast from a remote-controlled buffet robot before competing in the exciting new sport of hoverboard fencing.
Maya’s overall winning design will be printed on 2 million Aldi leaflets, which can be picked up from stores across the country from Friday 7th October.
All three of our fantastic winners will receive a bumper prize bundle, including a £100 Aldi voucher for their family and an exclusive Team GB and ParalympicsGB goody bag, filled with amazing merch and signed kit.
They have also each won a £1,000 cash prize for their school and will be receiving a visit from a Team GB or ParalymicsGB athlete in the coming weeks, to properly celebrate their win!
Choosing from the 1,040 entries was very tough for our panel of judges from Aldi, Team GB and Paralympics GB. However, in addition to our three winners, after long and careful deliberation, our panel of judges narrowed the selection to our final shortlist of just 20 entries from schools up and down the country. Massive congratulations to those who made the list – your shortlisted certificates will be arriving soon!
Erin, age 5, from Southridge First School
Benjamin, age 6, from Southridge First School
Jessica, age 6, from Southridge First School
Oscar, age 6, from Southridge First School
Olivia, age 7, from Croft Infant School
Isla, age 8, Pentland Primary School
Evie, age 9, Pentland Primary School
Hajun, age 9, The New Beacon School
Rufus, age 10, Hyde Park Junior School
Betsy, age 10, Heber Primary School
Mridalsa, age 11, Hermitage Primary School
Kaia, age 11, Hermitage Primary School
Mariam, age 11, Azhar Academy Girls School
Mariya, age 11, Azhar Academy Girls School
Aisha, age 11, Azhar Academy Girls School
Iffah, age 13, Azhar Academy Girls School
Enayah, age 13, Azhar Academy Girls School
Daniella, age 12, Nonsuch High School for Girls
Mia, age 12, Maltings Academy
Megan, age 14, West Exe School
