164
COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
LESSON 3.4
EXERCISE 7A (P. 33)
Lionel Messi, Argentinian footballer
•
Born Rosario, Argentina, 1987. Moved to Spain at the age
of 13 when Barcelona FC agreed to pay for his expensive
medical treatment. Was suffering a lack of hormones which
limited his growth.
•
Considered to be the best footballer in the world and one of the
greatest players in the history of the game.
•
Became a star of the Barcelona team and Argentina national
team. Set many records for goal scoring, helping his team to
national and international championships.
•
First footballer to win four FIFA Ballon d’Or awards.
•
Made history by becoming the first player to score five goals in a
Champions League match. Most goals in a calendar year (2012),
beating the record of German footballer Gerd Miiller, which had
stood for 40 years.
•
Playing style: a fast, attacking
style. Quicker with the ball
at his feet than any other
footballer. Able to change
direction rapidly.
•
Diego Maradona, a famous
Argentinian player, says about
Messi, ‘I see him as very similar
to me,’ he told the BBC, ‘he’s
a leader and is offering lessons
in beautiful football.’
Roger Federer, Professional tennis player
•
Born Basel, Switzerland, 1981
•
Considered by many experts
to be the greatest player of
all time.
•
Holds many records.
•
First Swiss man to win a
Grand Slam title.
•
Men’s record for appearing in
24 Grand Slam titles.
•
Won 17 Grand Slam titles.
•
Only player to reach eight
finals in the Wimbledon
Tennis Tournament.
•
Won Wimbledon seven times,
equalling the record of Pete
Sampras.
•
Has also won five US Open
titles.
•
Has won every Grand Slam
championship, including the
French Open.
•
Very sporting player. Won
Sportsmanship award (voted
by players) four times.
•
A South African opinion poll
voted him the second most
trusted and respected person
in the world, after Nelson
Mandela.
•
Style: versatile, creative,
powerful play. Can play every
shot in the book, and wins on
all court surfaces – clay, grass
and hard courts. McEnroe
says, ‘Federer’s forehand is
the greatest shot in tennis.’
•
Set up the Federer
Foundation in 2003. Helps
young people in poor
countries to take part in
educational and sports
projects.
Ye Shiwen, Chinese swimmer
•
Born Hangzou, China, 1996
•
She has performed
exceptionally well in World
Championships and the
Olympic Games at a very
young age (16).
•
Gold medals in the 200 and
400 metres medley in the
London Olympic Games in
2012. In the 400 metres race,
she was five seconds faster
than her previous best time.
Swam the last 50 metres
of the race faster than the
men’s winner Ryan Lochte.
Set a World record in the 400
metres race and an Olympic
record in the 200 metres.
•
Started swimming aged six.
Teacher noticed she had very
big feet and hands – good
for swimming.
•
Was a member of the
Chinese national team at
age 12.
•
Very tough training in China,
financed by the Chinese
Government. Had little
contact with her parents
between the age of 11–14
when training. Her mother
said, ‘I missed her a lot. We
were allowed to see her only
once a week … But of course,
it was all worthwhile. We are
very proud of her.’
•
Her father talked about
the family’s sacrifices in an
interview, ‘Chinese people
believe that we have to give
in order to earn. Give time
and effort.’
Jessica Ennis-Hill, British field and track athlete
•
Born in Sheffield, England, 1986.
•
Had a perfect technique for hurdling by the age of 10. Won
the National Schools Championships at the age of 14.
•
Became interested in the heptathlon, which combines the
high jump, long jump, shot put, javelin, 100-metre hurdles,
200-metre and 800-metre races. While training, went to
Sheffield University and graduated in Psychology (2007).
•
In 2008, had a bad ankle injury. Missed 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Had a one-year break from competition.
•
In 2009, won the world championships in the heptathlon and
the world indoor pentathlon the following year.
•
Competed in London Olympic Games in 2012. Great pressure
because she was the ‘Face of the Olympics’. Her image was on
billboards and in the media everywhere – hopes of the nation
were on her. Her first race was the 100 metres hurdles. She
won easily and set a British record of 12.69 seconds.
•
She was put forward as a role model for young students at
a Californian high school. The presenter said to the students,
‘Jessica Ennis is an international track star … Last year,
she took gold at the World Championships. Jessica Ennis
is arguably the world’s greatest female athlete. This young
woman can fly and throw and jump. She’s Wonder Woman.’
