Olympic Games — Олимпийские игры

ancient — древний

to take place — происходить

several — несколько

to allow — разрешать

to compete — соревноваться

event — соревнование

footrace — состязание по ходьбе

nobleman — дворянин

to be held — проводиться

continuation — продолжение

team — команда

spectacular — зрелищный

to host the Olympic Games — принимать

Олимпийские игры

Olympic flame — олимпийский огонь

Vocabulary

Not only athletes usually wait for the Olympics, all sports fans are impatient too. When the Games begin, television broadcasts the ceremonies and the events to millions of people. They are able to support their favourite teams and sportsmen. And of course, they are proud when the sportsmen from their native country win bronze, silver or gold medals.

1. What is the history of the ancient Olympic Games? 2. How and when were the Olympic Games renewed? 3. When were the Winter Games introduced? 4. Arc Summer and Winter Games held separately? 5. What sports are included into the Olympic Games? 6. What is the most famous Olympic tradition? 7. What does the

later — позднее

wrestling — борьба

javelin — метание копья

discus — метание диска

to add — добавлять

to praise — хвалить

to honour — почитать, чествовать

to appear — появляться

coin — монета

emperor — император

to renew — возобновлять

to promote — способствовать

relay — эстафета

interlaced — переплетенный

to represent — представлять

background — фон

motto — девиз

to mean — означать

thrill — острое ощущение

impatient — нетерпеливый

to broadcast — транслировать

to support — поддерживать

to be proud of — гордиться

native — родной

Questions

motto of the Olympic Games mean? 8. When did Russia join the Olympic movement? 9. What part does Russia play in the Olympic Games? 10. Where were the latest Summer and Winter Olympic Games held?

Sports in Russia

It's very important for people to have some regular exercise. In Russia a lot of people go in for sports. We can say that Russia is a nation of sport-lovers. Many sports are popular in our country. They are football, hockey, basketball, volleyball, tennis, skiing, figure skating, wrestling, shooting and many others. All water sports are widely spread in our country, including swimming, diving, sailing and water skiing. Some people are fond of extreme sports such as rock climbing, potholing or white-water rafting.

Russia's ethnic minorities also have their own traditional forms of exercise. The Yakuts of central Siberia are skilled reindeer-sled racers. Archery is popular with the Buryats of eastern Siberia. On the Amur River in southeastern Russia canoeing is also a popular sport.

Sports in Russia have traditionally been divided into amateur and professional. That's why there are different sports club in the country. A lot of sportsmen take part in international competitions and win medals. A great number of sportsmen take part in the Olympic Games and show excellent results. Hundreds of athletes have become Olympic medalists and record-setters. The names of Irina Rodnina, Vyacheslav Fetisov, Evgenii Kafelnikov, Marat Safin are famous all over the world.

Sporting activities are a part of daily life in Russia. In every school there is a gym and a sports ground. Sport is an important subject at schools and universities. A lot of pupils are trained in sports schools which are run by the major sports clubs.

During the last years there was a great increase in keeping fit and staying healthy in Russia. A lot of people started jogging and going to fitness clubs in their spare time. Aerobics classes and fitness clubs were opened in every town, and the number of recreation centres greatly increased. Indoor pools, with their wave-making machines, water slides and tropical vegetation have become very popular in Russia. Doing sports prevents us from getting too fat and helps to stay healthy.