Answer the questions after reading the text

1. Where did the Olympic Games begin? 2. How often did the Games take place in ancient times? How often are they held now? 3. At about what time were the ancient Olympic Games officially ended? 4. Whose idea was to bring the Olympic Games back to life? 5. In what city were the first modern Olympic Games held? 6. When were the Winter Olympics included? 7. What committee organizes the Olympic Games? 8. Why are the Olympic Games politically important?

In the following dialogue examine some unfinished pieces of argumentation and select among the given arguments the one that can be added in full accordance with the speaker’s viewpoint.

- Well, Peter, I know that sport is a very important part of your life. What sports and games do you prefer?

- I used to be an obsessive tennis player. Tennis was my life until I was eighteen. I used to train twice a day. I’d go for a few hours in the morning, before school, and then every evening as well. My dad would drive me to the court and wait for me. It was a huge sacrifice but I don’t really regret it although sometimes I wish I’d have a little time with my friends.

- Why did you give up?

- I stopped because I realized that I wasn’t going to win any major championships or anything like that. As a result it just wasn’t worth the sacrifice. I was missing too much of life and I had to start thinking of a career.

- Was your dad disappointed?

- A bit. He was very upset at first. But I think he now understands that sport should be just another part of my life.

- Do you think it was a waste of time?

- No, the tennis made me high achieve. I did well in school. I also had lots of friends because the other kids in school looked up to me and I think A)… I didn’t sit around worrying and B) …. I think I’d do it again if I had the chance.

- So, you have some regrets?

- A few! You see, I started playing when I was five. When my dad realized that I was quite gifted, he paid for lessons and all that. C) … . The lessons, equipment and travel cost thousands of pounds a year by the time I started competing. I’m afraid we overdid it. I now wish I’d taken my time and led a more balanced and normal life – but who knows, it might have happened anyway.

- What did you gain from it?

- I suppose it made me stronger and fitter, and I get the chance to travel to a lot of interesting places. But I think I would have enjoyed it more, if it hadn’t been quite so competitive. D) …. I also didn’t have much time to be with friends, and just relax and enjoy life. I put myself under too much stress. E) …

A) 1. Sport develops my character;	D) 1. Sport destroyed my life;
2. It helped me with some of the problems of growing up;	2. I would be depressed for days each time I lost a match;
3. Sport makes me healthy;	3. I had to keep to special diet;
B) 1. Sport helps me to meet a lot of new friends;	E) 1. Sport provides physical training; 2. Sport breaks down social barriers;
2. I didn’t have time for any private life;	3. Sport should be fun
3. I really never had time to get bored;
C)1. It was a great sacrifice;
2. It was wonderful;
3. It was a waste of money;

Work in pairs

Continue the dialogue between Victoria and Sandy according to the logical scheme offered below.

Victoria: My opinion is that sport can’t be without competition. It is an essential part of sport. Otherwise it would be boring to see games without records and results.

Sandy: But it’s not good that in today’s sport records have become an aim in itself. I think that participation is more important.

Victoria: You can’t deny that competitions provide entertainment for sport fans. And beside that they help to involve newcomers.

Sandy giving another argument

Victoria: disagreement

Sandy: asking opinion

Victoria: agreement

Sandy: disapproval

Victoria: asking for information

Sandy: giving another argument

Victoria: hesitating

Sandy: giving advice

Victoria: thanks

- I don’t agree with you. People should have an opportunity to show their abilities. It is not just about the money. Taking part in a competition is a good chance to test oneself in a contest.

- The drugs, of course. In order to achieve supreme results all the sportsmen take drugs. They want to be stronger and to endure greater stresses. They ruin their health.

- It is enough just to do regular exercises. It helps to be fit and isn’t so dangerous.

- Entertainment and money. But don’t you see that today the goal of competitions has changed? They were made to replace wars with peaceful tournaments. And now it’s all about the money. The point is to earn as much as possible but not to be the best.

- How can you say so?! There is no competition without traumas and injuries! And this is only one side of the problem.

- Thank you for your advice.

- And what about health? Sport is supposed to make us healthy.

- And which is the other side?

- Yes, of course! People participating in sport events are healthy people.

- Well, I don’t know…you are so persuasive. May be you are right. Now I’m not sure that I want to send my child to a sport club. But physical activity is good for mental and moral development.