| 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Events | [tuː ˈθaʊzn̩d ˌfɔːˈtiːn əˈlɪmpɪk ənd ˌperəˈlɪmpɪk ˈwɪntə ɡeɪmz ɪˈvents] | |
| Olympic Winter Games of 2014 in Sochi | [əˈlɪmpɪk ˈwɪntə ɡeɪmz əv tuː ˈθaʊzn̩d ˌfɔːˈtiːn ɪn ˈsotʃi] | 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi |
| winter olympic sports | [ˈwɪntər əˈlɪmpɪk spɔːts] | |
| alpine skiing | [ˈælpaɪn ˈskiːɪŋ] | alpine skiing / skiing |
| biathlon | [baɪ"æθlən] | biathlon |
| bobsled (BrE) / bobsled (AmE) | [ˈbɒbsleɪ] [ˈbɒbsled] | bobsled |
| cross-country skiing | [krɒs ˈkʌntri ˈskiːɪŋ] | ski race |
| curling | [ˈkɜːlɪŋ] | curling |
| figure skating | [ˈfɪɡə [ˈskeɪtɪŋ] | figure skating(on skates) |
| freestyle (skiing) | [ˈfriːstaɪl] [ˈskiːɪŋ] | (ski) freestyle |
| ice hockey | [aɪsˈhɒki] | |
| luge | [luːʒ] | luge |
| nordic combined | [ˈnɔːdɪk kəmˈbaɪnd] | Nordic combined |
| short track (speed skating) | [ʃɔːt træk] [spiːd ˈskeɪtɪŋ] | short track |
| skeleton | [ˈskelɪtn̩] | skeleton |
| ski jumping | [skiːˈdʒʌmpɪŋ] | Ski jumping |
| snowboarding | ["snəubɔːdɪŋ] | snowboarding |
| (long track) speed skating | [ˈlɒŋ træk] [spiːd ˈskeɪtɪŋ] | speed skating (speed skating) |
| Olympic vocabulary | [əˈlɪmpɪk vəˈkæbjʊləri] | |
| amateur | [ˈæmətə] | amateur |
| anthem | [ˈænθəm] | hymn |
| banned | [bænd] | forbidden |
| broadcaster | [ˈbrɔːdkɑːstə] | host / commentator |
| compete | [kəmˈpiːt] | compete |
| contestant | [kənˈtestənt] | competitor |
| controversy | [ˈkɒntrəvɜːsi] | disagreement |
| doping | [ˈdəʊpɪŋ] | doping |
| facilities | [fəˈsɪlɪtɪz] | (sports) facilities |
| fanfare | [ˈfænfeə] | fanfare |
| host | [həʊst] | host country of the olympiad |
| humanity | [hjuːˈmænɪti] | humanity |
| mascot | [ˈmæskət] | mascot |
| medal | [ˈmedl̩] | medal |
| motto | [ˈmɒtəʊ] | motto |
| nationality | [ˌnæʃəˈnælɪti] | citizenship |
| oath | [ əʊθ ] | oath |
| participant | [pɑːˈtɪsɪpənt] | participant |
| partisanship | [ˌpɑːtɪˈzænʃɪp] | unfair refereeing (usually for political reasons) |
| postpone | [ˌpəust"pəun] | reschedule (competition start) |
| preliminaries | [prɪˈlɪmɪnərɪz] | preliminary competition |
| purity | [ˈpjʊərɪti] | purity |
| qualify | [ˈkwɒlɪfaɪ] | qualify for minimum requirements |
| representative | [ˌreprɪˈzentətɪv] | representative |
| security | [sɪˈkjʊərɪti] | security guard |
| spectator | [spekˈteɪtə] | viewer |
| sponsor | [ˈspɒnsə] | sponsor |
| spokesman | [ˈspəʊksmən] | a person (often an athlete) who represents the company in the market or in the media |
| sportsmanship | [ˈspɔːtsmənʃɪp] | sports spirit of honesty and justice |
| stamina | [ˈstæmɪnə] | endurance |
| standings | [ˈstændɪŋz] | position in the standings |
| substitute | [ˈsʌbstɪtjuːt] | substitute |
| swifter | [ˈswɪftə] | faster |
| symbols | [ˈsɪmbl̩] | symbol |
| torch | [tɔːtʃ] | torch |
| venue | [ˈvenjuː] | venue for games (sports ground, etc.) |
| victory | [ˈvɪktəri] | victory |
Summer Olympic Games (Text)
By Kenneth Beare
The Summer Olympic Games will be held in London, England beginning July 17, 2012. Competitors from around the world will compete for the gold, silver or bronze medals. For some athletes, winning is not a real possibility. However, they will strive to set personal and / or national bests in their events. Of course, many world records will also be broken during these games. The intensely competitive nature of the games, the strong national pride involved and the challenge in facing the best athletes from around the world combine to demand the top performances from each individual.
In a world where soccer (football), basketball, golf and tennis dominate television broadcasts, the Summer Olympic Games provide a chance to observe sports not usually covered. When was the last time you watched water polo, or fencing? Chances are you watched them during the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Greece. In this age when many people are fortunate enough to have cable TV connections, spectators can watch a wide variety of athletic competitions.
Athletics and wrestling are probably the oldest sports in the Olympic games. The tradition of these sports goes back to the original games held in ancient Greece over 2500 years ago. Some of my favorite events include the javelin throw, the high jump and the pole vault, as well as the hurdles. There will also be a wide variety of water sports that include canoeing, sailing and diving. Naturally, swimming is probably the most popular water sport with a wide variety of competitive events including backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle and more.
The summer games also include a number of events that have recently been introduced to the games. Kayaking and mountain biking, baseball and beach volleyball are just a few. I certainly haven"t mentioned all the sports - who would want to miss gymnastics - but you get the idea. Turn on your TV, relax and enjoy a moment of peace and togetherness in this struggling world of ours. The Summer Olympic Games provides an example that we should follow: competition with respect.
The topic of the Olympic Games tells about the largest international sports competitions which are held every four years under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee. The tradition of holding the Olympic Games originated in ancient Greece as part of a religious cult. Games have been held since 777 BC. e. by 394 AD e. and a total of 293 Olympiads were held in Olympia, which was considered a sacred place by the Greeks. The name of the Games comes from Olympia. The modern Olympic Games were revived at the end of the 19th century by the Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin. The Summer Olympic Games have been held every four years since 1896, with the exception of the years during World Wars. In 1924, the Winter Olympic Games were established.
The Olympic Games have a very long history. They began in 777 BC in Greece and took place every four years for nearly twelve centuries at Olimpia. They included many different kinds of sports: running, boxing, wrestling, etc. All the cities in Greece sent their best athletes to Olimpia to compete in the Games. For the period of the Games all the wars stopped. So the Olympic Games became the symbol of peace and friendship.
In 394 AD the Games were abolished and were not renewed until many centuries later.
In 1894, a Frenchman, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, addressed all the sports governing bodies and pointed out the significance of sports and its educational value.
Two years later the first modern Olympic Games took place. Of course, the competitions were held in Greece to symbolize the continuation of the centuries-old tradition.
In 1896 the International Olympic Committee was set up. It is the central policy-making body of the Olympic movement. It is formed by the representatives of all countries which take part in the Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee decides upon the program of the games, the number of the participants and the city-host for the Games. Over one hundred and fifty countries are represented in the International Olympic Committee now. Besides, each country has its National Olympic Committee.
Summer and Winter Games are held separately. There are always several cities wishing to host the Games. The most suitable is selected by the International Committee. After that the city of the Games starts preparations for the competitions, constructs new sports facilities, stadiums, hotels, press centres. Thousands of athletes, journalists and guests come to the Games, and it takes great efforts to arrange everything. There is always an interesting cultural program of concerts, exhibitions, festivals, etc., for each Games.
Russia joined the Olympic movement in 1952. Since then it has won a lot of gold, silver, and bronze medals. In 1980 Moscow hosted the Twenty-Second Olympic Games.
The latest Olympic Games were held in Barcelona. Russian sportsmen got medals for their records in many sports events.
The Olympic Games are an international sports competition which are held every four years in a different city. Thousands of athletes from all over the world compete against each other in individual and team sports. Over 1 billion people watch the games on TV.
The first Olympic Games were held in Greece in 776 B.C. They were called the ancient games and lasted until the 4th century A.D. The modern games began in 1896, when the Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin revived the games to bring peace and friendship to the young people all over the world.
Today, there are summer and winter games. Up to 1994 both games were held in the same year, but now they are staged two years apart from each other.
Ceremonies and symbols
The Olympic Games begin with the opening ceremony. Athletes from all the participating nations march into the stadium. Greece comes in first, because it was the first nation to hold the Olympics and the host nation comes in last.
The Olympic flag is raised and a chosen athlete lights the Olympic flame. It is a symbol of spirit, knowledge and life. The fire comes from Olympia, a small town in Greece and many runners transport the flame in a torch relay to the site of the games. It burns from the opening ceremony until the end of the games.
The Olympic rings were created in 1913 and represent the five continents (Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Americas).
All athletes must take the Olympic oath. One of them has to promise that all athletes will give their best and compete in a fair way.
After each event, medals are given to the first three athletes. They receive gold, silver and bronze medals. Their flags are raised and the national anthem of the winner's country is played.
The International Olympic Committee
The IOC is the organization that governs the games. It decides which sports and events are held at the games. The IOC also selects the host city for the summer and winter games, at least seven years before they take place. Cities that want the games must show that
They have enough stadiums for all events
they have enough room for all the athletes
they can provide safety for the athletes
they can transport athletes and spectators from one event to another
Host cities must build an Olympic village where all athletes live during the games.
How can athletes take part?
Normally, each country decides for itself which sportsmen and –women are allowed to take part. Athletes must qualify for the games by winning or doing well in competitions before the Olympic Games start.
Athletes, who are sent to the games by their country must be a citizen of that country. For years, only amateurs were able to participate in the games, but today, most athletes are professionals, who earn their money through sport.
Most governments give their team money so that it can take part in the games.
The ancient games
The ancient Olympic Games were celebrated at Olympia, Greece every four years. They were held in honor of the god Zeus. In the early games, only Greek men were allowed to participate. The games consisted of sports like footraces, wrestling, boxing, the pentathlon and horse racing. The last event of the games was usually a chariot race.
When the Romans conquered Greece in 140 B.C. the games started to lose their religious meaning and in 393 the Roman emperor banned the event.
The Summer Games
The Summer Games are held during the summer season of the host country. They last for 16 days. Today, there are more than 270 events during the games. Over 15,000 athletes from 190 nations take part.
The next Summer Games will be held in London (2012).
The Winter Games
The first separate Winter Games were held in Chamonix, France in 1924. They usually take place in February. Today, the Winter Olympics include over 60 events. Athletes from more than 60 countries participate.
Politics and the Olympic Games
In the past, the Olympic Games have been disturbed by political issues. In 1936 the IOC chose Berlin as the site for the 1936 Summer Games. A few years later, Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party rose to power and Hitler used the games to show Germany's power.
In 1968 two Black American runners protested against their government and raised their fists when the American national anthem was played.
In 1980 the USA-and many other countries-didn "t send athletes to the games in Moscow because the Soviet Union had invaded Afghanistan a year before. In return, the Russians and other Communist countries refused to take part in the 1984 games in Los Angeles.
The worst day in Olympic history came on September 5th, 1972 during the Munich games. Eight Palestinian terrorists broke into the Olympic village and killed two Israeli athletes. 9 others were taken hostage. They wanted the Israeli government to set free over 400 Arab prisoners in Israel. During a battle with German policemen all hostages and the terrorists were killed.
Olympia today
The Olympic Games have become very successful over the past years. More and more people are able to watch them on TV and television stations are spending more money for the rights to broadcast the games. The IOC earns more money than ever before. With this money they help athletes in poorer countries.
Drugs have become a big problem. Some athletes take drugs before and during the games in order to help their muscles grow. When they are caught they are disqualified and their medals are taken away from them.
The Olympic Games are known to us since the days of ancient Greece, whence came the expression - "in a healthy body - a healthy mind". The Greeks paid special attention to sports and loaded themselves with physical exertion in order to always be in good physical shape in case of military actions. Sports competitions, gladiator fights, chariot competitions began to take place in the Mount Olympus. Each participant demonstrated his dexterity, courage, strength, speed.
Later, with the advent of the Romans on the territory of Greece, the Olympic Games began to be held less and less, and at the beginning of the eighth century, the authorities declared them a pagan rite and banned.
In 1894, the International Congress of Sports decided new rules for the games and, in 1896, the Olympic Games began to be held again every four years. Later the International Olympic Committee was created which selected the city for each regular game. The goal of the Olympic Games was to give every athlete the opportunity to play for his country in fair competition.
The most famous symbol of the Olympic Games is the image of five interconnected rings. Rings represent the union of five continents.
In 1928, Amsterdam first lit the Olympic flame, as a symbol of the will to win. Since then, the fire is lit before the start of each game, and it burns to the very end.
The Olympic Games have been known to us since ancient Greece, whence came the expression - "a sound mind in a sound body". The Greeks paid special attention to sports and loaded themselves physical activity in order to always be in good condition in case of hostilities physical form. On Mount Olympus, sports competitions, gladiator fights, and chariot competitions began to take place. Each participant demonstrated his dexterity, courage, strength, speed.
Later, with the advent of the Romans in Greece, the Olympic Games became less and less frequent, and at the beginning of the eighth century the authorities declared them a pagan rite and banned them.
In 1894, the International Sports Congress decided on new rules for the games, and since 1896 the Olympic Games began to be held again every four years. Later, the International Olympic Committee was created, which chose the city to host each regular game. The purpose of the Olympic Games was to give every athlete the opportunity to compete for their country in fair competition.
The most famous symbol of the Olympic Games is the image of five rings connected to each other. The rings represent the union of the five continents.
In 1928, in Amsterdam, it lit up for the first time. olympic fire, as a symbol of the will to win. Since then, the fire is lit before the start of each game, and it burns until the very end.
Olympic Games
The world's greatest international sports games are known as the Olympic Games.
The Olympic idea means friendship, fraternity and cooperation among the people of the world. The Olympic Movement proves that real peace can be achieved through sport.
The Olympic emblem is five interlinked rings: blue, yellow, black, green and red. Any national flag contains at least one of these colors.
The original Olympic Games began in ancient Greece in 776 B.C. These games were part of a festival held every fourth year in honor of God Zeus at the place called Olympia. It was a great athletic festival, including competitions in wrestling, foot racing and chariot racing, rowing and others.
The games were for men only. Greek women were forbidden not only to participate but also to watch the Olympics.
The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. Then they were resumed in London after the Second World War. Since then the Olympics are held every fourth year in different countries.
The ancient Greeks had no winter sports. Only in 1924 the first Winter Olympic Games were held in France. Now they are being held regularly.
Olympic Games
The most famous sports games in the world are the Olympic Games.
The idea of the games is friendship, brotherhood and harmony among the peoples of the world. Olympic Movement proves that peace can be achieved through sport.
The Olympic emblem is five interlaced rings: blue, yellow, black, green and red. The flag of any country has at least one of these colors.
The first time the Olympic Games were held in Ancient Greece in 776 BC. e. They were part of a festival held every fourth year in honor of the god Zeus at Olympia. It was grand sports holiday, which included competitions in wrestling, running, chariot riding, rowing, etc.
Only men were allowed to the games, women were forbidden not only to participate, but also to observe.
The first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 in Athens. Then they were resumed in London after the Second World War. Since that time, the Olympic Games have been held every fourth year in different countries.
The ancient Greeks did not have winter sports. It wasn't until 1924 that the first Winter Olympic Games took place in France. Now they are held regularly.
Questions:
1. What are the world's greatest sports games?
2. What does the Olympic idea mean?
3. What is the Olympic emblem?
4. Why have these colors been chosen?
5. When and where did the original Olympic Games begin?
6. Did women participate in the games?
7. When were the first modern Olympic Games held? Where?
8. Are the Olympics held in the same place?
9. When did the Winter Olympic Games start being held? Where?
Vocabulary:
peace - peace
fraternity - brotherhood
contain(s) - contain
ancient - ancient
B.C. (before Christ) - BC
Zeus - Zeus
to participate - participate
to resume - resume