International Sport Events (2051)

The United States has traditionally been a very successful player in international sports events. The Olympic Games are the highlight of international competition. The United States has had the pleasure to host Olympic winter or summer Games on seven occasions. The Centennial Games of the Olympic Movement took place in Atlanta in 1996. The Games were one of the largest in history so far, numbering almost 11,000 competitors. The U.S. Olympic Team has always performed very well and finished first in the final medal standings in 1996 and in 2000.

In 2002, the 19th Olympic Winter Games were held in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Olympic program was expanded to 78 events. New events were added in biathlon, cross-country skiing, short track speed skating; women's bobsleigh was introduced. Athletes from 18 nations earned gold medals in Salt Lake City. Canadian teams won both the men's and women's ice hockey tournaments, Ole Einar Bjoerndalen earned gold medals in all four biathlon events and Samppa Lajunen in all three Nordic combined competitions. Short track speed skater Yang Yang became the first Chinese athlete to win a gold medal at the Winter Games. Competing in the women's bobsleigh, Vonetta Flowers became the first black athlete to earn winter gold. Australian Steven Bradbury became the first Winter Olympic gold medallist from the Southern Hemisphere.

Hosted by Athens the last Olympic Summer Games took place in Greece in August 2004. London was chosen for conducting the next Olympic Summer Games in 2008. Following the national trials the United States Olympic Committee nominates members of the Olympic team.

The United States also participates in the Pan-American Games, the second largest sports event following the Olympic Games. They are held every four years preceding the Olympic Games. The Pan-American Games consist of all Summer Olympic sports, plus some non-Olympic sports.

American athletes also compete in world championships and other international sports events. Cyclist Lance Armstrong won the prestigious Tour de France in 1999, 2000, and 2001. Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi have counted among the top tennis players in the world for many years. Tiger Woods dominates the international golf scene. Track athletes Michael Johnson, Maurice Greene, and Marion Jones are the fastest sprinters in the world. These and many more American sports heroes rank, among the country's best-known celebrities.

Check your comprehension.

1. What is the highlight of international competition? 2. When were the Centennial Games held? 3. Where did they take place? 4. How many competitors took part in those Games? 5. What Olympic Games took place in American Salt Lake City? 6. How was the Olympic program expanded? 7. Where and when were the last Olympic Summer Games held? 8. What is the second largest sport event for America after the Olympic Games? 9. What sports do they include? 10. When and where will the next Olympic Games be held?

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