Keeping up with the Olympic Games!｜Caitlinの英会話レッスン

Wow! The last two weeks have been very exciting!

Hi everyone! It’s Caitlin!

Every two years, people around the world gather in front of their TVs to cheer for their favorite athletes and enjoy amazing — and sometimes unbelievable — sports. Whether you enjoy summer sports or winter sports, there’s no event more thrilling than the Olympic Games.

Do you know when the Olympic Games first began? It was in 776 B.C., almost 3,000 years ago! Of course, the first Olympic Games were very different from the Games we know today. In fact, there was only one event: a simple footrace.

This week in PyeongChang, athletes are taking part in over 100 events, and at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, there will be 339 events! I hope I can get tickets to one of them!

Speaking of watching the Games, what sports did you watch on TV this week? At my house, we really enjoy the snowboarding events. This year, a new event called “Big Air” debuted, where snowboarders race down a steep slope and launch off a platform, then fly and flip through the air at high speeds! It’s a little scary to watch — but the athletes themselves are fearless!

Do you want to try it? Not me! If you were an Olympic athlete, what sport would you play?

In Sendai, figure skating has a long history and is still popular today, thanks to Yuzuru Hanyu. I’m not good at skating, but next December I want to try out the ice rink at Kōtōdai Park during the Starlight Pageant. Do you ever go to the ice rink in winter?

For example, “I watched the Olympics yesterday.” Or, “I’d like to go to the Olympics someday.”

That ending ‘-s’ is really important; it tells us that this word is a noun.

We use “Olympic” (no ‘-s’) as an adjective.

For example, “My son wants to be an Olympic athlete.” Or, “Japan won two Olympic gold medals.”

Sadly, there are just a few more days left before the Closing Ceremonies, so enjoy watching the Olympics this weekend!