The Olympic Issue

The Ancient and The Modern Olympic Games
Reading, conversation and vocabulary 

Bonfire of Ads
Discussion and video activity

Sport Idioms   
Vocabulary

The Olympic Puzzle  
Crossword

The Ancient and The Modern Olympic Games

Reading comprehension and conversation activity

(A) Discuss the following questions in pairs or small groups:

·        Do you like watching the Olympic games? Why (not)? Which sports are your favorite ones? ·        When and where were the first Olympic Games? How many past games can you remember? Where are the next games? ·        Do you know any famous athletes? How many Olympic sports can you name? ·        Do you think that the Olympics are important? Why (not)?

(B)Read the text below and answer the questions that follow.

The first known Olympic Games date from 776 BC, and were held in Olympia, Greece. They were celebrated until 396 AD. The ancient games consisted of only one race, the "stade" race, which was the length of the stadium and between 180 and 240 meters long. Over the years more running races and other events were added, including boxing, wrestling, chariot racing, long jump, javelin and discus throwing. At the time, only young men could take part. They had to be free men, and speak Greek. They usually competed nude, and the prize was a crown of olive leaves, a sign of hope and peace. Women were not allowed to take part and married women were not even allowed to watch. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. A French nobleman, Pierre Fredy, the Baron de Coubertin, born in 1863, had a passionate belief that sport could encourage peace throughout the world and bring people from all over the world together. Coubertin was inspired by the ancient Olympic Games and travelled around the world, spending his own money, trying to persuade people to revive them. Eventually he managed to bring together representatives of many different countries in Paris, in 1894, and the Olympic Movement was begun. Women began to compete in 1900. For many years there were problems for the women athletes about what to wear, because it was considered rude to show any part of the body or even the shape of the body. When Coubertin founded the Olympic Movement he established the International Olympic Committee (the IOC) to supervise it, in 1894. He himself served as its president for 29 years, and there have been 8 presidents since then. There were originally 14 members but the Committee has now grown to over 130 members, all of whom must speak either French or English. Existing members elect new members as required. The IOC is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

1.When were the first Olympic Games?
2.What events took place in the Ancient Olympic Games?
3.Who took part in the Ancient Olympic Games?
4.Who revived the idea of the Olympic Games?
5.When and where were the first modern Olympic Games held?
6.Who supervises the Olympic Games?
7.What is the aim of the Olympic Movement?

Bonfire of Olympic Ads

Video and conversation activity

Watch a few of the most-liked Olympic ads in English for Rio 2016. ·        Which one do you like best? ·        What is the message in each ad? Do they have any message in common? ·        Can you spot any famous athletes?

1.Procter & Gamble, “Thank You, Mom – Strong”

2.Visa, “The Carpool to Rio” - featuring Team Visa Olympians

3.Nike 2016 Olympic Commercial

4.Dick’s Sporting Goods, “The Contenders”

5.Gatorade, “Never Lose the Love”

6.Kellogg’s Cereals, “What Gets You Started?”

 

Sports Idioms - The Olympic Issue

Sports idioms originate from a specific sport such as basquetball, sailing or tennis. Over time these phrases have become part of everyday language. Their meanings may be a little different or not so literal but they still carry the original  general idea.

Front runner: (from track & field) someone among those expected to win.

Get into the full swing: (from tennis) doing something with ease after some time of practice.

Get a second wind: (from sailing ) have a burst of energy after feeling tired.

Give it your best shot : (from shooting) try your hardest.

Go overboard: (from sailing) do or say more than you need to.

Hit someone below the belt: (from boxing/ martial arts) do something unfair to someone.

Jump the gun: (from track & field)  start too early.       

Keep one's head above water: (from swimming) try not to fall behind in work or other duties.

Keep you eye on the ball : (from baseball) be alert to events and situations around you.

Kick off: ( from soccer ) start something.

Make a splash: (from swimming) get noticed for a remarkable action or success.

Skate on thin ice: (from skating)  do something risky, take a chance.

The ball is in your court: (from tennis) it’s your turn or responsibility to take action.

Throw in the towel : (from boxing) give up, abandon.

To be down to the wire: (from horse riding) be right at the end.

Touch base with someone: (from baseball) be in contact, communicate with.

Use one of the idioms above to complete the sentences. Use one each time only!

1. Please can everyone be seated so we can ....the launching of the campaign.

2. You can't believe everything he says. He tends to...  sometimes.

3. Give it your ... and you may just make it to the final round.

4. I guess I ... by saying I was being promoted. They chose someone else.

5. She was exhausted after working for 12 hours on the campaign, but she got ... after lunch.

6. It's coming ....  to get these documents sent on time.

7. You're ... by not saving part of your income now.

8. We are so busy during the high season I can barely ... 

9. If they don't accept our offer this time we are going to ... and look for something else.

10. I think I’m a ...for the manager position.

11. It will probably take some time at my new job before I ... of things.

12. When you arrive in New York, remember to ... us. We’ll be waiting for your call.

13. It’s not up to me anymore. I’ve done my part, now ...

14. Down to the last days before we finish the deal. Please, ... and focus more than ever.

15. I never though we could ... with this ad campaign but it seemed everybody loved it.

16. It was ...when she used her best friend's weakness to get the job.

Answers here!

The Olympic Puzzle - The Olympic Issue

Try and complete the following crossword and test your knowledge on sports and everything Olympic.

Across

2. For this sport you need small paddles.(2 words)

4. The number of points a competitor or team earns during a game

9. a person who trains and directs an athlete or a sports team.

11. A person who trains for and competes in a sport.

12. The official name for Track & Field.

14. The centrepiece of the Olympic games, where athletic events are held.

16. Years between Ancient Olympic Games.

19. Sport with bikes.

21. A piece of land marked out for a sports contest e.g. hockey.

22. A contest featuring five different events.

24. Team sport with a net and six players per team.

25. A team sport with eleven players per team.

Down

1. Originally known as the International Wheelchair Games.

3. Country where Ancient Olympic Games were held.

5. A quadrangular area on which ball games are played, such as tennis or basketball.

6. Long run, typical in the Olympic games.

7. Highest prize that an athlete can get at the Olympics. (2 words)

8. To shout encouragement to a team or a player. (2 words)

10. Aquatic sport involving a ball.

13. Sport that includes walking, driving and shooting.

15. multi-discipline sport divided in artistic, rhythmic and trampoline.

17. Fastest time registered in an event.

18. An event where athletes fight with gloves.

20. A punishment imposed on a player or team for breaking the rules of a sport. 
23. A result in a game in which teams have the same final score.

25. Aquatic discipline.

Answers here!