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RANKIN INLET - The Olympics may be over in Beijing, but the craze continued in Rankin Inlet last week at Leo Ussak elementary school.

Staff and students put away their books and pencils for a play day on Aug. 29 and turned their attention to hurdles, dashes and rhythmic gymnastics.

Grade 3 student Nippi Ugjuk represents China in hurdles at Leo Ussak elementary school's Olympic Day. - Karen Mackenzie/NNSL photo

"Really it's a celebration to build community spirit and teamwork for our whole school, staff and students," said teacher Adriana Kusugak. "It's just good to get the school off to a good start."

Most of the students had followed the Olympics and its geography as part of their current events studies, and were excited to give it a go themselves, according to Kusugak.

Groups representing eight different nations faced off in a number of sporting activities from class to class. The sports event also got a Northern twist with the inclusion of Inuit games like one- and two-foot high kick and sittuqtaq dance-off.

"For the kindergarteners it's a really big deal to get used to the whole school space. This is the stuff they're going to remember," Kusugak said.

The activity also built leadership skills for the Grade 4 students who were put in charge of the groups, according to teacher Amanda McLarty.

"They were helping with everything, getting the kindergarteners in the blocks for the sprints, that sort of thing," she said.

In the end, Russia and Mexico triumphed with a tie for gold, with China and Jamaica just behind them.

"Our final assembly was so full of school spirit, and everyone was cheering," McLarty said.