8/23/08
Olympic Competitons
Here are some questions for your students as you start the new school year. Even though the 2008 Olympics are over, various venues are still in our minds. While it's still fresh, challenge your students with these brain teasers. You can take them as far as you wish and encourage them to find various sources for the answers.
1. What is the origin and meaning of marathon? Answer: Origin dates back to 490 B.C. when amessenger ran from there to Athens to announce a victory over the Persians
2. Now for the other "thons":
How many events in a triathlon? (3) What events are they? Three successive events, usually long-distance swimming, bicycling, and running. Who won this event this year?
How many events in a decathlon? (10) What events are they? Ten track and field events: the 100-meter, 400-meter, and 1,500-meter runs; the 110-meter high hurdles; the discus and javelin throws; the shot put; the pole vault; the high jump; and the long jump. Are decathlons for men or women? (Men)
A pentathlon? (5) A modern athletic contest, now generally limited to women's competition, in which each participant competes in five track and field events, usually the 200-meter and 1,500-meter runs, the long jump, and the discus and javelin throws.
A heptathlon? (7) An athletic contest usually limited to women in which each contestant participates in the following seven track and field events: 200-meter and 800-meter runs, 100-meter hurdles, shot put, javelin throw, high jump, and long jump.
3. semifinals? One of two competitions, or the next to the last round in an elimination tournament. In what events were there semifinals?
4. quarterfinals? One of the four competitions in an elimination tournament whose winners go on to play in the semifinals. In what events were there semifinals?
5. Here's a real question to be answered without help from the Internet. If the 2008 Olympic competitions were the 35th, when was the first competition? Answer: 1896
Where did it take place? Answer: The 1896 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the I Olympiad, was celebrated in Athens, Greece, from April 6 to April 15. It was the first Olympic games held in the Modern era. Ancient Greece was the birthplace of the Olympic games. Athens was unanimously chosen as the appropriate place to stage the inaugural modern Games.
I'd love to hear how your students reacted to these questions!
That's my word this time.
Ellie
