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Is a shot at gold worth the work?
Picture this: You’re standing on a stage in front of hundreds of people. The crowd cheers wildly as a shiny award is placed around your neck. You can’t believe it. You’ve just won a gold medal at the Olympics!
Many athletes would do anything for this moment. But others say it’s not worth the time and effort it takes to get there. What do you think: Would you want to be an Olympic athlete?
Shutterstock.com (Background); Hannah Peters/Getty Images (Gauff with Trophy); Julian Finney/Getty Images (Gauff Playing Tennis)
Tennis star Coco Gauff will be competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
The Best in the World
There are many reasons people want to compete in the Olympics. For starters, Olympians are among the greatest athletes in the world. Wouldn’t you want to say you’re the fastest, strongest, or best athlete in your sport?
Plus, you’d have the honor of representing your country—and wearing your country’s flag as you compete. And if you won, you wouldn’t just take home a medal for yourself. You’d also win a medal for your country!
Last, Olympic athletes get to travel around the world and hang out with other stars. Recent Olympic games took place in exciting cities like Beijing, China, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As an Olympic athlete, you would have a chance to meet other top athletes. You could make new friends—or even meet one of your heroes!
Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images (Phelps with Medals); Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images (Phelps Swimming)
Swimmer Michael Phelps won more Olympic medals than any other athlete.
Not Worth the Sacrifice
Clive Rose/Getty Images
Heidi Kloser
But others think the life of an Olympic athlete isn’t worth the sacrifice. Most athletes start training when they’re very young. Some kids practice for eight hours a day. That’s about how much time you spend in school!
Speaking of school, you’d likely have to attend classes at home or while you’re on the road to competitions. And don’t even think about free time! All that time training means there would be almost no time for hobbies or hanging out with friends.
Plus, most Olympic events take place over a few short weeks. That’s nothing compared to the time you put into training. You could also get injured before you even get a chance to compete. That’s what happened to U.S. skier Heidi Kloser in 2014!
The next Olympics will take place this summer in Paris, France. As you watch the athletes compete in different sports, think about this: Would you want to be one of them?
What do you think?
Go back to the article and write down reasons to support each side of the debate. Then study the points on both sides. State your opinion in one sentence, which can be the introduction to an opinion paragraph.
Can't Miss Teaching Extras
The Olympics learning journey doesn't stop here. We have three stories about the Olympics in this issue! Dive into the Greek myth “Battle of the Gods” to meet the famous Greek god, Zeus. Then travel back in time roughly 2,000 years to ancient Greece in “Journey to the First Olympics.”
1. PREPARING TO READ
Have students preview the text features. Ask:
2. READING THE DEBATE
3. DISCUSSING
As a class or in groups, have students discuss:
4. CULMINATING ACTIVITY
OR
5. CHECK COMPREHENSION
6. PARTICIPATE IN THE ONLINE POLL
COMMON CORE STATE STANDARD
Play
Who will rule the gods?
Fiction
Two cousins used to be best friends. Have things changed?
Poetry
Two poems about ice cream
Debate
Sam thinks her friend spends too much time gaming. Rohan says it’s good for him. Whose side are you on?
Debate
Some say there isn’t much use for the penny anymore. Is it time to ditch this copper coin?
Debate
Jordan wants to quit the clarinet. Alex doesn’t think that’s a good idea. Whose side are you on?