By NOVA PIERSON -- Calgary Sun
 Early mornings aren't just for Olympic athletes, as 30 school children in Calgary will learn on Thursday.

 The Grade 5 and 6 students at Ethel M. Johnson, 255 Sackville Dr. S.W., are waking up early to interview Canadian kayaker David Ford -- live on CBC television -- as part of a school focus on the Olympics.

 "It's been really exciting and I'm looking forward to Thursday," said 10-year-old Grade 6 student Rose Allan-McCachen, who plans on asking Ford about how much time he puts into training.

 The school was one of 10 across the country chosen by CBC for its first live Internet connections, which are being broadcast every morning of the Games.

 It will be midnight in Australia when students, who've been selected from several of the school's Grade 5 and 6 classes, talk to him, said teacher Jo Stimpson.

 She said the students have benefited from studying the Olympics, including a project which saw them 'adopt' wrestler Daniel Igali.

 "He's been wonderful -- he's been e-mailing the kids back."

 She said the students are learning about more than just the different Olympic disciplines.

 "They're learning about goal setting and about being proud for their country," said Stimpson.

 The Calgary students can be seen live on CBC TV at 7 a.m. Thursday or by logging onto www.cbc.ca/olympics/hellosydney