“I’ve had a long life in athletics and the main thing is I enjoy what I’m doing,” he said. “I’ve never looked upon it as something I have to do.”

Vincent was among 12 former and current Olympians in Warrnambool yesterday putting grade 6 pupils through their paces.

He and Pam Kilborn-Ryan, who won silver and bronze in the 80-metre hurdles at two Olympics during the ’60s, coached athletics at Brauerander Park.

“If you haven’t got time to go running, that’s not right, because you only need five or 10 minutes,” he said.

Athletics was one of six sports the pupils from Warrnambool, Warrnambool East and Merrivale primary schools dabbled in.

Basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis and swimming were also on offer, with all eagerly taken up.

Andris Blicavs, a member of the Australian basketball team at the 1976 Olympics, was a popular figure at the Arc.

He recalled the Montreal Games as being historic — the failure to capture a gold medal sparked the creation of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

But the Boomers finished eighth, their best-ever result at the Olympics, and were one of the shining lights from the Games.

As for yesterday’s advice to pupils, Blicavs said they had to go back to basics.

“It’s all cliche stuff but it’s about putting in, hard work. You have to put in time. It doesn’t come easy,” he said.

“You really need to build your game around having strong basics. Once you have those down pat you can do the fun stuff.”

While Vincent and Blicavs could reflect on past successes, badminton player Renuga Veeran has her sights set on further success.

Veeran, 27, teamed with Leanne Choo to reach the quarter-finals of the women’s doubles at the 2012 Olympics in London.

The Malaysian-born star leaves Australia tomorrow for Glasgow, where she will train and compete ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Veeran said it was important for Olympians like herself to pass on their experiences to the next generation.

“I’m finishing my teaching course for that purpose, to promote badminton in schools,” she said.

Beach volleyballer Louise Bawden likewise held court passing on tips which have proved important in her journey.

Bawden, who represented Australia at volleyball in 2000 and beach volleyball in 2012, said the best advice she received came from her parents. “Everything you do comes back to being able to back yourself,” she said.

“We want to teach the kids that you don’t have to win to make something out of yourself. It’s OK to fail as long as you try.”

The Olympians’ visit was a joint initiative of Active After School Communities and the Victorian Olympic Council.

Michelle Brogan (basketball), Nicole Livingstone, Linley Frame, Matson Dawson (swimming), Sarah Lazzaro, Russell Lavale (table tennis) and Peter Blackburn (badminton) were among other Olympians who helped run the day.

afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au