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 Track and Field Beijing Olympics 2008

Track and Field Beijing Olympics 2008
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 4 to 8
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   9.2

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    acceptable, banned, entertainment, successful, qualify, overall, marathon, leadership, sprint, assistant, fully, running, steeple, victory, fans, participate
     content words:    Tyson Gay, Darvis Patton, Field Olympic Trials, Hayward Field, United States, Team USA, Ancient Greek Olympic Games, Olympic Games History, XXIX Olympiad, Day Two

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Track and Field Beijing Olympics 2008
By Susan Radtke 		  
1     Caption: First place winner Tyson Gay (Right), and third place winner Darvis Patton (Left) celebrates with fans after the men's 100 meter final during day three of the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials at Hayward Field.
 
2     The Olympics are an ancient and exciting form of athletic entertainment. In 2008, athletes from all over the world will gather in the city of Beijing in the People's Republic of China to compete in over three hundred events. The United States has a very successful Olympic track and field record. Track and field athletes have trained hard to qualify to make Team USA. Under great leadership, the team hopes to continue the country's successful streak in the sport.
 
3     The Ancient Greek Olympic Games originated in 776 B.C. Events consisted of the stade race, two-stade race, and a long distance run of seven to twenty-four stades. A stade is the equivalent of two hundred meters. Furthermore, according to Mike Rosenbaum's article "Olympic Games History," field events, including the modern equivalents of wrestling, discus, javelin, long jump, and sprint, took place every four years until the Olympics were banned in 393 A.D. for religious reasons.
 
4     The Games of the XXIX Olympiad will also include track and field events. Men's track events will include the 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 5000, and 10,000-meter runs. The 110 and 400-meter hurdles will also take place. There will be a 3000-meter steeple chase and 100 and 400-meter relays. Lastly, 20 and 50-kilometer race walks will be contested along with the running of a marathon. Men will also participate in the following field events: high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, discus, shot put, javelin, hammer, and decathlon.
 
5     Events for female track and field athletes will be the same as the men's with a few exceptions. There is no women's 50-kilometer race walk. The women's 100-meter hurdles is run instead of the 110-meters that is run by male athletes. Furthermore, women participate in a heptathlon instead of a decathlon. As stated by Wikipedia, "The decathlon is an athletic event combining ten track and field events. The events are held over two consecutive days and the winners are determined by the combined performance in all events." Day one consists of the 100 meter run, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 400 meter run. Day Two consists of the 110 hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, and 1500-meter run. Women athletes participate in a Heptathlon. A heptathlon is a track and field athletics event contest made up of seven events. The 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, and 200-meter run take place the first day of the heptathlon. The long jump, javelin throw, and 800 meter run are contested on the second day.

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