The Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympic Games happen once every four years for sports that take place on snow or ice. The first ever games were held in Chaminoux, France in 1942 and there were five events: bobsleigh, curling, ice-hockey, skiing and skating. Skiing and skating are now broken down into different categories such as cross-country skiing or ski jumping.

Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards was a famous British ski jumper who competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. The spectators, who were watching from the stands and on TV, loved Eddie because he was an underdog. He had taught himself to ski and he didn't even own a pair of skis – he had borrowed a pair just to compete! Eddie the Eagle didn't make it to the winner's podium, he actually came last. But they made a film about his adventures.

Skating is another popular Winter Olympic sport. It takes places on an ice rink. Speed skaters have to skate very fast whereas figure skating is more artistic, like dancing on ice. Michelle Kwan is a famous American figure skater who won a bronze medal at the games in Salt Lake City in 2002. She also won a silver medal at the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1998. Kwan never won a gold medal at the Olympics, but she did come first at five World Championships.

But winning isn’t everything, just making it to the Olympic games is something to celebrate. These days there are more than five sports at the games. New ones like snowboarding and luge have been added over the years. The games have taken place in eleven different countries on three continents, but they have never been held in the southern hemisphere. This is probably because the Winter Olympics are usually held in February, which is the height of summer in the southern hemisphere.

Reading Comprehension Questions

Read the text about the Winter Olympics and answer the questions below.

1. Eddie the Eagle was popular because he was successful.In the text: … the spectators … loved Eddie because he was an underdog.
   
   • true
   • false
2. Eddie the Eagle won an Olympic medal.In the text: … didn’t make it to the winner’s podium, in fact he came last.
   
   • true
   • false
3. Michelle Kwan never placed first at the Olympics.In the text: Kwan never won a gold medal at the Olympics.
   
   • true
   • false
4. Today, there are five sports at the winter Olympics.In the text: These days there are more than five sports at the games. New ones like snowboarding and luge have been added …
   
   • true
   • false
5. The Winter Olympics have only been held in the northern hemisphere.In the text: … but have never been held in the southern hemisphere.
   
   • true
   • false