Speaking of Oxford and Cambridge, people will immediately think of the two oldest and most famous universities in the UK. It is also known to the public that the competition between the two universities is very intense, especially when the annual Boat Race is held.
Oxford and Cambridge are both located near rivers, and rowing is a popular and prestigious sport. The very first race took place in 1829, when a student from Cambridge challenged his former school friend who was studying at Oxford. Gradually, the Boat Race between the two universities has become tradition. The team who lost from the previous year will challenge the other team to a rematch.
The Boat Race was first held on the River Thames at Henley. Later, it was moved up along the river to somewhere near Putney, in south-west London. The average race time IS about 20 minutes, but the record is just over 14 minutes. The famous competition is usually held in March or April every year. Over the years the two universities have gone head-to-head on the river.
The race is a very popular spectator event. There are a large number of people who are attracted every year to the River Thames to watch the event, and several millions more to watch on television. The training for the race is very tough, and rowers practise very hard in order to try to win the next race.
The Pyeong Chang 2018 Winter Olympics ran from 9 to 25 February. As the next host city of the Winter Olympics, Beijing presented a show for the handover ceremony. Beijing's eight-minute show at the closing ceremony of Pyeong Chang 2018 demonstrated a confident and modem China and extended China's warm welcome to the whole world in a high-tech way, said Zhang Yimou, chief director of the show.
"Modern China is not the same as it used to be ten years ago. We have held the Olympics and told the world our history of five thousand years. This time at Pyeong Chang 2018, we prefer to present to the world the new achievements of contemporary China rather than repeat the story long before, "said Zhang.
"The show has combined high technology and traditional performance together. In order to highlight winter sports, we have adopted the gestures of skating and skiing. Our performers are not the traditional dancers or singers, but they can manage both winter sports and performances, "added Zhang.
One of the biggest challenges both performers and high-tech equipment needed to overcome was the extreme temperature. The closing ceremony of PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics was held in the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium, which is an outdoor stadium, and the temperature was freezing cold during the Games.
You already know that sports benefit your physical health. Now, research has found that sports participation can positively affect your mental health as well.
Sports can improve your mental skills.
These skills include critical thinking, learning and using good judgment. Research has shown that doing a mix of aerobic and muscle strengthening activities is especially helpful. Participating in this kind of activity three to five times a week for at least 30 minutes can provide these mental health benefits. .
Sports can improve the quality of sleep. They do this by helping you fall asleep faster and deepening your sleep. Sleeping better can improve your mental outlook the next day as well as improve your mood. Evening practices within a few hours of bedtime may leave you too excited to sleep.
Sports have been linked to leadership traits(品质).
Team sports such as football, baseball and basketball are good for developing leadership traits. Because of the opportunity to train, try, win or lose together, people involved in these sports are naturally more inclined to adopt a" team mindset(思维模式) in the workplaces and in social situations.
Doing sports is good for your health. But keep in mind: some team sports may result in injuries. However, some injuries, such as brain trauma and concussion, can cause lifelong damage to people. So be careful when you do sports and avoid sports injuries as much as possible.
A. The team mindset will lead to strong leadership qualities over time.
B. When you are physically active, your mind is distracted from daily stresses.
C. Most sports injuries will result in a complete recovery if there is proper medical attention.
D. Regular physical activity helps keep your key mental skills sharp as you age.
E. The same source suggests that participating in a team sport improves academic performance.
F. Sports can help you sleep better.
G. Just be careful not to engage in sports too late in the day.
The history of football (go) back to Ancient China. But football we know today (start) in Great Britain. That football is such simple game is perhaps the (base) of its popularity. All over the world you can see kids (play) to their hearts' content a ball. Another factor behind its popularity is the creativity and excitement. It is fun enough (attract) millions of people. What's more, it has become one of the best (way) to communicate. For example, on Christmas Day 1914, World War Ⅰ (break) out months before, but British and German soldiers put down arms and played football together. So football is much more just a sport.
