THE 2012 LONDON OLYMPIC GAMES

Vocabulary

1. Vibrant –(adj)- Pulsing or throbbing with energy or activity; Vigorous, lively
ex. She is enjoying the vibrant streets of a big city.

2. Paralympics –(n)- major international multi-sport event where athletes with a physical disability compete
ex. Her disabled brother will compete in the 2012 Paralympic games

3. Equestrian –(n)- Pertaining to horseback riding or horseback riders ex. The princess is admired for her good equestrian skill.

4. Pentathlon –(n)- an athletic contest comprising five different track and field events and won by the contestant gaining the highest total score. ex. The athlete from Kenya won the gold medal in the Olympics pentathlon event.

5. Gymnastics –(n)– a sport that involves exercises intended to display strength, balance and agility. ex. Debbie is 6 years old and enjoys gymnastics, tennis and swimming.

In 2005, the International Olympic Committee selected London as the host city for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Summer Games. London had also hosted the Olympic games in 1908 and 1948. Athletes and spectators from around the world will gather in July, August and September to celebrate summer sporting excellence. The Games, along with the region's spectacular natural playground and its vibrant venues such as the Olympic Park, Wembley Stadium, Wimbledon, The Mall, Riverbank Arena, Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre, etc. will put London in the spotlight as a premier sporting destination.

The Olympic Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 will be done at the Olympic Stadium where her majesty the Queen will be greeted by the President of the IOC at the entrance of the stadium as the Head of State of the Host Country. Then we will see a procession of the participating teams in the stadium, nation by nation. Teams enter in alphabetical order, according to the language of the Host County, apart from the Greek team, which enters first for the Olympics, and the team of the Host Nation(in this case Great Britain), who march in last.

London will host the following Olympic and Paralympics events
-The 26 Olympic sports at London 2012 will be aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, basketball ,boxing, canoe and kayak, cycling, equestrian, fencing, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, modern pentathlon, rowing, sailing, table tennis, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling among others. These games will take place in 28 venues.

The 20 Paralympics sports at London 2012 will be boccia, football, goalball, paralympic archery, paralympic athletics, paralympic cycling, paralympic equestrian, paralympic judo, paralympic powerlifting, paralympic rowing, paralympic shooting, paralympic swimming, paralympic table tennis, volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair tennis which will take place in 21 venues.

The 2012 Summer Olympic Games will be held in London from 27 July to 12 August 2012, followed by the 2012 Paralympics Games from 29 August to 9 September. There will be 5,500 Olympic athletes and officials. Over 205 countries are expected to participate in 305 events at the Olympic Games and over 147 countries will take part in the Paralympics.

Comprehension and Viewpoint Questions

1. According to this article how will the athletes from different countries enter the stadium? Which 2 countries will enter first and last?
2. In your opinion, is winning the most important objective of the Olympics?
3. Do you like watching the games? what are your favorite events in the Olympics?
4. What do you think are the advantages for the country that is hosting the Olympics?
5. What is the most memorable Olympic games in your opinion?