041　track and field events

Words
Athletics high jump triple jump long jump shot-put hurdle sprint starting blocks pole vault train overtake javelin discus lane metres(event)

Phrases
Win an event
Take part in
Break a record
Beat a personal best
Throw the javelin
Jump…metres
Win a title
Cross the finish line

Beginner
A; when I was at school, I was quite good at track and field events. I was on the school team for the long jump, 100 and 200 meter sprints and the javelin.
B: really? I was quite good at the hurdles and the discus.
A; I wish that I were good at the discus, but I could rarely throw it in the right direction! I was awful. With the hurdles, I could never jump over them!
B; I thought you were good at the high jump!
A; no, I was good at the long jump. I liked the sprints best.
B: did you ever win any competitions?
A; I was regional champion for the 100 and 200 meters. I usually did well in the dong jump competitions, but I couldn’t compete with kids from other schools in the javelin. How about you?
B; I came second and third a few times in the regional championships, but I never won. Did you ever take part in the national championship for the sprinting events?
A; yes, I did, but I didn’t do very well. I made the final in both events, but came last. At least I made the final. I was very pleased with that.

Intermediate
A: do you have a copy of today’s paper? I want to check the results from the world athletics championship.
B; yes, I ‘m just reading them myself. It’s been a great competition. We got gold medals in three events.
A; yes, we won the men’s 110 metres hurdles. I watched that on TV. What other events did we win?
B; we won the men’s high jump and the women’s 1500 meters.
A; that’s great. Those athletes must train for years to get into peak physical condition. They must be terribly disappointed if they don’t win.
B; the woman who won the 1500 meters also broke the world record by 2 seconds.
A; that’s amazing! Were any other records broken?
B; a Russian man broke the discus record by a centimeters. Out best athlete broke his personal best in the long jump, but it only got him third place.
A: did you see the final of the men’s 100 metres? It was very exciting. One competitor made two false starts.
B: was he disqualified?
A yes, he was. I imagine he must be very angry with himself for that.