Classroom Activities: People in Sport

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Engage your students in an in-context discussion about the ideas of athleticism, sportsmanship and heroes in sports.

The following lessons are designed for primary students at all reading levels and use resources from Britannica School and other online sources. Contact your library staff to see if your institution already has access or claim your own Britannica School free trial.

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Ask students to create a profile of their favourite sportsperson using Britannica School

Here are some of our suggestions:

Cristiano Ronaldo

In January 2009 Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo was voted the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Player of the Year for 2008. He is still considered by many to be the most gifted soccer player of his generation. Ronaldo will be captaining the Portugal team at this year’s FIFA World Cup – the fourth World Cup of his career.

Dawn Fraser

The first woman swimmer to win gold medals in three consecutive Olympic Games was Australian Dawn Fraser. She broke the women’s world record for the 100-meter freestyle nine times in the eight years from 1956 to 1964.

Hanyu Yuzuru

At the 2018 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, 24-year-old Hanyu Yuzuru of Japan added to his reputation as one of the greatest male figure skaters of all time by winning his second gold medal, becoming the first man to win back-to-back Olympic figure-skating golds since Dick Button did so in 1948 and 1952.

Jonah Lomu

Jonah Lomu, in full Jonah Tali Lomu, (born May 12, 1975, Auckland, New Zealand—died November 18, 2015, Auckland) was a remarkable New Zealand rugby union football player who was perhaps the sport’s first global icon.

Usain Bolt

Nicknamed “Lightning Bolt,” Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt electrified track and field fans around the world by winning back to back gold medals in the 100-meter and 200-meter races in an unprecedented three consecutive Olympic Games. He is widely considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time. Bolt continues to hold the world record in the Men’s 100 and 200 meters, both set in 2009.

Guo Jingjing

Chinese “Diving Queen” Guo Jingjing competed in 4 consecutive Summer Olympic Games, winning gold medals in the 3m springboard and synchronized 3m springboard events in 2004 and 2008. Along with multiple victories in world diving championships, her successes have elevated her to being the most decorated diver, male or female, in the history of the sport.

Pak Se-Ri

Pak Se-Ri is a South Korean professional golfer who was one of the leading players on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour from the late 1990s to the early 2000s.

Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher, byname Schumi, is a German race-car driver who set records for the most Formula One (F1) Grand Prix race victories and F1 series championships. His grand total of seven F1 titles broke Juan Manuel Fangio’s record of five that had stood for nearly 50 years.

Tina Maze

Slovenian Alpine skier Tina Maze’s four Olympic medals (two gold and two silver) made her the most-successful winter Olympian in the history of independent Slovenia.

Serena Williams

American tennis player Serena Williams was a dominant force in her sport in the early 21st century. Possessing a strong forehand, a fast, aggressive serve, and superb athleticism, she revolutionised female tennis.

Kobe Bryant

American professional basketball player Kobe Bryant was one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA championships (2000–02, 2009–10).

Use each of the following words to make a statement about sport:

• Powerful
• DNA
• Community
• Team

In a group, discuss the following statement:

Sport is crucial to international relations and it makes the world a better place to live.

Ask students to make a short presentation about a sport of choice

Include information on the following:

• Name and brief outline of the sport.
• Which countries/places is your sport popular in?
• Basic rules.
• Equipment required to play the sport.
• Famous participants past and present.
• Historical journey of the sport.

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These activities and resources have been created using content from Britannica School, the go-to site for safe, comprehensive student research. Contact your librarian to find out if your institution already has access. Find out more about Britannica School or set up your own free trial.