Les Jeux olympiques d’hiver

Read all about the Winter Olympics in France in this B2-level reading comprehension exercise.

Look up any new phrases in the translation, then practise the key words over in our list of Winter Olympics vocab and matching exercises.

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Translation

The Winter Olympics

Every four years, millions of sports fans look forward to the Winter Olympics. This international sporting event was first held in 1924 in the French resort of Chamonix. Since then, the Winter Olympics have been held on several continents, each time in a different city with more and more nations participating. This year, we can once again watch the best athletes compete in the 98 different events offered.

As always at the Olympics, we’re curious to know which athletes will win which medals. Even if some are globally famous, this type of event still has surprises up its sleeve! There are surely some talented newcomers to be discovered. And what about France? How many athletes will come home with medals?

France is particularly strong in winter sports, especially in downhill skiing and biathlon. France won eleven medals at the 2010 Winter Olympics and expects to win more in future. Top prospects in 2014 were Martin Fourcade, silver medalist in biathlon at his last Games, Jason Lamy-Chapuis, reigning Olympic champion in ski jumping and cross-country skiing, and Ophélie David, favourite in ski cross, to name just a few. The 2013 world champion in alpine skiing, Tessa Worley, was unfortunately absent at Sochi 2014, but the young Alexis Pinturault had the chance to shine.

But let’s not forget that at the Olympics, winning isn’t the most important thing. It’s the taking part that counts! We wish all the athletes good luck and may the best athletes win!

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