Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Elite Athletics & The Olympic Spirit 8

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four elite runners sharing their experiences of breaking a world record.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.

Which person

1   mentions a sudden absence of physical discomfort?

2   felt as though they were observing their own performance from afar?

3   experienced a temporary loss of hearing despite the noisy environment?

4   believes their mind disconnected from their body to shield them from anxiety?

5   relied on visual evidence to finally grasp what they had achieved?

6   describes the spectators’ noise as a tangible force propelling them forward?

7   had no clear memory of the concluding stages of the event?

8   admits it took a while for the magnitude of their accomplishment to sink in?

9   experienced a sense that their victory had been predetermined?

10   burst into tears immediately after completing the race?

Beyond the Finish Line: The Anatomy of a World Record

A Elias

When I hit the final straight of the 800-metre final, the stadium of 80,000 people was undoubtedly erupting, yet I experienced this bizarre, profound silence. It was as if someone had deliberately hit the mute button on the world. I couldn’t hear the screaming fans or even my own breathing; there was just the rhythmic thud of my spikes on the track. I was running so fast it felt like I was floating. Crossing the finish line, I didn’t immediately comprehend that I had shattered the world record. While my coach was jumping up and down frantically on the sidelines, I just stood there in a daze, completely numb. It wasn’t until I was back in my hotel room hours later, staring at my gold medal, that the reality of what I had done actually washed over me. Some athletes burst into tears instantly, but my brain clearly needed time to process such a monumental shift in my career.

B Amara

In any marathon, the final few kilometres are absolute agony, and my muscles are usually screaming for me to stop. But as I entered the arena and heard the deafening roar of the crowd, the lactic acid burn simply evaporated. It was a miraculous sensation; I felt absolutely no fatigue, as if my legs belonged to someone else and were moving on autopilot. Despite the euphoria pushing me forward, my mind was racing with doubts about my pace. I couldn’t remember my split times for the last lap, so I wasn’t entirely sure I was on track for the record. It was only when I looked up and saw the neon green digits on the giant stadium clock flashing ‘World Record’ that the truth hit me. If I hadn’t seen those numbers with my own eyes, I would have thought it was all a vivid dream.

C Julian

Breaking the 1500-metre record was an experience I can only describe as intensely cinematic. From the moment the starting gun fired, I felt an undeniable certainty that the record was mine; it was as though the outcome had been written in the stars long before I stepped onto the track. During the third lap, I experienced a highly unusual out-of-body sensation. I literally felt like I was hovering a few metres above the stadium, watching myself execute the perfect race. Furthermore, the sheer volume of the spectators didn’t just sound loud; it felt like a solid wall of energy physically pushing me across the finish line. I didn’t need to check the clock to know I had made history. My body ached terribly once I stopped, but the spiritual high of that moment completely overshadowed the immense physical toll.

D Kira

People often ask me what I was thinking about during the final 400 metres of the race, and honestly, I draw a complete blank. That entire last lap is entirely erased from my memory. I genuinely believe that the pressure of the screaming crowd and the enormous expectations were so overwhelming that my consciousness simply detached itself from my physical form to protect me from panicking. I was merely a passenger in my own body. The moment I broke the tape, however, everything snapped back into sharp focus. The realisation was so instant and powerful that I collapsed onto the track and wept uncontrollably. It was a tidal wave of pure euphoria and relief. Although my coach had predicted I would win, nothing could have braced me for the surreal, mind-altering experience of hearing an entire stadium chanting my name while I lay there sobbing.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four athletes describing the financial struggles and lack of sponsorship for competitors in less popular or emerging Olympic sports.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people/sections (A-D). The people/sections may be chosen more than once.

Which person/section

1   mentions feeling exhausted from having to balance training with paid employment?

2   points out a common public misconception about the financial status of Olympic athletes?

3   expresses frustration over the fact that their events are rarely broadcast on television?

4   relies on the generosity of the general public to finance their athletic career?

5   almost abandoned their sporting ambitions due to the overwhelming cost?

6   highlights the financial inequality between athletes from different nations?

7   explains that the financial rewards for winning are insufficient to sustain them?

8   mentions the heavy financial burden of purchasing and maintaining specialised gear?

9   describes the added stress of handling their own travel and administrative arrangements?

10   acknowledges the financial sacrifices made by their relatives to keep their dream alive?

The Price of Passion: Financing the Olympic Dream

A Liam – Canoe Slalom

When people watch canoe slalom at the Games, they must think it’s a highly glamorous life. In reality, the astronomical price tags attached to our bespoke carbon-fibre boats are a constant source of anxiety. If I hadn’t taken on a night-shift job at a local distribution centre, I would never have been able to replace my damaged paddle last season. Naturally, juggling long hours of paid work with intense morning training sessions leaves me utterly drained. I occasionally try to build a social media presence to attract sponsors, but finding the energy to edit videos after a gruelling day on the water is virtually impossible. I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that, unlike mainstream sports stars, my passion demands relentless financial struggle. While my friends spend their weekends relaxing, I’m constantly calculating whether I can afford my next competition entry fee. It is widely believed that reaching the elite level guarantees security, but this simply isn’t the case for niche disciplines like mine.

B Chloe – Sport Climbing

Since sport climbing was recently added to the Olympic programme, the general consensus seems to be that making it to the Games guarantees a lucrative lifestyle. Friends have even told me that it must be amazing to be wealthy doing what I love. That assumption couldn’t be further from the truth. While my basic climbing gear isn’t overly pricey, the cost of flying to international qualifying events is absolutely crippling. I actually rely heavily on setting up crowdfunding campaigns just to afford my plane tickets. If I weren’t kept afloat by small donations from loyal fans on the internet, my career would have ended years ago. It’s incredibly humbling to know that total strangers are paying for my journey. Sometimes, I look at athletes in high-profile sports and envy their massive corporate endorsements, but I remind myself that my journey is uniquely mine. Winning local tournaments does bring in a bit of cash, but certainly not enough to live on comfortably.

C Mateo – Fencing

Fencing is a sport deeply rooted in history, yet it suffers from virtually non-existent mainstream media coverage. Because our tournaments are hardly ever screened on major channels, big corporations simply aren’t interested in offering us endorsement deals. Last year, the financial strain became so unbearable that I came perilously close to throwing in the towel and drafting an official retirement statement. I was completely overwhelmed by the debt I had accumulated. If my parents hadn’t taken out a massive loan against their house to keep me going, I would have definitely stepped away from the piste forever. Acknowledging that my family has severely compromised their own financial security for my ambitions adds an indescribable layer of psychological pressure when I compete. I know I have to perform well, not just for my own pride, but to ensure their immense sacrifices haven’t been in vain. I do occasionally win a modest cash prize, but it vanishes immediately into paying off my coaching fees.

D Aisha – Modern Pentathlon

Competing in the modern pentathlon is incredibly demanding, not least because you have to fund training for five distinct disciplines. What frustrates me most is the stark contrast in state backing globally. While rivals from better-funded federations arrive at events with an entire entourage of coaches and physios, I receive absolutely zero government assistance. I am effectively forced to act as my own logistics manager. Spending my evenings scouring the internet for budget accommodation and sorting out complex visa paperwork adds a huge amount of mental fatigue before the race has even begun. Even when you do achieve a podium finish, the cheque you receive barely makes a dent in your overall expenses. People assume that holding a shiny medal equates to financial stability, but the reality is that the prize money is entirely disproportionate to the costs of competing at this elite level. I have bounced back from numerous athletic setbacks, but the administrative burden is what truly wears me down.

Exercises:   123456