to go in for — заниматься

skiing — лыжный спорт

figure skating — фигурное

катание

wrestling — борьба

shooting — стрельба

to include — включать

diving — прыжки в воду

sailing — парусный спорт

rock climbing — скалолазание potholing — спелеология

white-water rafting — рафтинг

minority — меньшинство

skilled — искусный

reindeer-sled racer — гонщик

на оленях

archery — стрельба из лука

canoeing — гребля на каяках

или байдарках

to divide — делить

amateur — любительский

to take part in — принимать участие в

competition — соревнование

to win — выигрывать

excellent — отличный

record-setter — рекордсмен

gym — спортивный зал

sports ground — спортивная площадка

to run — руководить

increase — увеличение, рост

to keep fit — поддерживать спортивную

форму

to stay healthy — оставаться здоровым jogging — бегать трусцой

spare time — свободное время

recreation centre — центр отдыха и

развлечений

indoor pool — крытый бассейн wave-making machines — устройства,

создающие волны

water slides — водные горки

vegetation — растительность

to prevent from — препятствовать

despite — несмотря на

o participate — принимать участие majority — большинство

spectator — зритель

to support — болеть

team — команда

Vocabulary

But despite the increase in the number of people participating in sports, the majority of them still prefer to be spectators. Thousands of people go to the stadiums to support their favourite teams and sportsmen. Most of the important competitions are televized and people enjoy watching sports programmes on TV. But certainly watching sports events and going in for sports are two different things.

Questions

1. Why do people go in for sports? 2. What winter sports are popular in Russia? 3. What summer sports are popular in Russia? 4. What sports are practised among Russia's ethnic minorities? 5. What is the difference between amateur and professional sports? 6. Do you know any outstanding Russian sportsmen/women? 7. What other sports activities are popular in Russia? 8. Why is it necessary to have PE at schools and universities? 9. What sports facilities are there in your native town? 10. Do you go in for sports or do you watch sports events on TV?

To Watch or to Participate?

The modern way of life, when people have little physical activity, use cars instead of walking, watch television for many hours and work on computers, is turning them into legless creatures. Although a lot of people are interested in staying healthy, not many people do very much about it.

The majority of people live in towns and cities, where space for team sports is limited. To keep fit, most people take part in individual sports. They usually go walking, swimming, cycling or do aerobics. If they do aerobics or go swimming, they usually go to the sports centre; but not many people join a sports club.

Some people argue that sport is not very useful. It takes a lot of energy and time. As a result of going in for sports, people have broken legs and arms and other injuries. Besides, it makes you unhappy when you lose. A lot of people prefer to watch sports competitions rather than take part in sports. Thousands of people go to the stadiums to support their favourite teams and sportsmen. The most popular spectator sports are football, hockey and figure skating. Most of the important competitions are televized, and people enjoy watching sports programmes on TV. They needn't buy tickets and go to a stadium, especially in cold and rainy weather. But certainly watching sports events and going in for sports arc two different things.

In my opinion, people can't do without sport. Sport plays an important role in our lives. I think sport helps us in different ways.

First of all, it helps us to stay in good shape, to keep fit and to be wealthy. It makes people strong, fast and agile. What is more, sport builds character; it teaches us to win and to lose. It makes us more organized and better disciplined in our daily activities. Besides, it is a good way to meet people and to make new friends.

Sport is an essential part of our everyday life. To have a healthy mind, you must have a healthy body. But to be healthy, it is not necessary to become a professional sportsman. You may go in for sports just for pleasure, when you have free time. Some people jog every morning, some follow fitness classes shown on TV. Young people usually put on their roller-skates and skate in the streets and parks. A lot of young people spend their holidays hiking. It doesn't cost much and it is a really good way of getting away from crowds.