SPORTS179EXTREME SPORTS
RACES
OLYMPIC GAMES
The Olympic Games is the most important
sporting event in the world. Every country is
invited to take part—athletes from 204
countries took part in the Beijing Olympics
in 2008. Winners receive a gold medal.The original Olympic Games
were first recorded in 776 bce
and were held in Olympia,
Greece. The first modern-
day Olympics were held in
Athens in 1896. As a
reminder of its origins, an
Olympic torch of fire is
carried from Olympia to
the Games by a series of
relay runners. It is used
to light an Olympic
flame in the stadium.O Bungee jumping sees people
leap from a high spot and freefall
to be saved by a strong elastic
rope secured to their ankles.O Surfing Surfers ride lightweight
surfboards just ahead of a breaking
ocean wave.
O Ski jumping involves skiing
down a steep hill, leaping, and
landing safely.
O Hang gliders use a triangular-
shaped wing to glide through the
air. They can stay up for many
hours by finding rising air columns. SKYDIVING Skydivers usually leap
from a small plane and freefall before
opening a parachute to enable safe
landing. Worldwide, there are more than
450 skydiving drop zones. Instead of a
plane, some skydivers have jumped from
helicopters or hot-air balloon baskets. EXTREME
CLIMBERS
climb ice and rock
faces that appear
impossible. BMX is
bicycle motocross.
It involves
spectacular
jumps and
hair-raising
tricks.O Drag racing is the fastest land-
based sport. It originated in the US
and takes place between two highly
charged dragster cars.
O Speed skaters can reach speeds
of 40 mph (65 km/h).
O Horse racing with powerful
thoroughbred horses may be over
flat ground or over jumps.
HURDLE RACES are a major
part of any athletic event. Competitors
race over 10 hurdles spaced over a set
distance. The sprint course is 100 m (328 ft)
for women and 110 m (360 ft) for men.
A longer course takes place over 1,300 ft
(400 m), but with the same number of
hurdles. Many schools enjoy hurdle races. FORMULA ONE F1
Grand Prix races are fast
and exciting. ROAD
CYCLISTS
may cover huge
distances in a race
such as the Tour
de France.O Yachts of all sizes are used for
competitive racing.
THE OLYMPIC
RINGS The
interlocking rings
represent the
coming together of
athletes from all over
the world. ICE HOCKEY is
just one of more than
300 Olympic sports.CULTURE