But should athletes be our heroes? The Summer Olympics will put young sportspeople in the spotlight. But some think we should look elsewhere for our role models.
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The teenagers going for gold in Paris
But should athletes be our heroes? The Summer Olympics will put young sportspeople in the spotlight. But some think we should look elsewhere for our role models.
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The Paris 2024 OlympicsA major international multi-sport event held every four years. opens on Friday. For the next two weeks, thousands of athletesSomebody who competes in sports events. will swim, horse ride and run their way into history.
Some of them are still only teenagers. Gymnast Abigail Martin will only pick up her GCSEThe national exams taken by 15 and 16-year-olds in parts of the UK. results after the games. Nineteen-year old Penny Healey is taking part in the archeryShooting with bows and arrows. competition. She picked up the sport after watching Pixar's film Brave.
We sometimes think of athletes as heroes. Becoming a modern Olympian takes a huge amount of effort, time and the bravery to face failure in front of millions of people.
Great athletes can be role modelsPeople you can look up to, who set a good example. . Swimmer Michael PhelpsAn American swimmer and the most successful Olympian of all time. talks about mental health, for example.
But being good at sport does not make someone a good person. Basketball player Charles Barkley once said: "I am not a role modelSomebody you can look up to for inspiration. ."
What is more, many of their wins are due to luck as well as effort. For example, Phelps has a huge wingspanThe distance between the ends of the wings of a bird or aircraft. - much bigger than many other swimmers. This will help him out in the pool.
A great writer can change the way we see the world. A scientist can cure diseases. And a rescue worker can save lives. Are these not the true heroes?
But should athletes be our heroes?
Yes! Athletes are strong and brave. They inspireMake someone want to do something, especially something creative. others to try their best. They do things with their bodies that amaze most people. If this does not make them heroes, what would?
No! True heroes make their own rules and do things that no-one else has ever done before. They make the world a better place. Athletes inspire aweAmazement and a feeling of wonder. , but we should not look to them as heroes.
FOR YOUR SUMMER READING CHALLENGE CLUE GO TO STEP SIX IN THE SIX STEPS TO DISCOVERY BELOW
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Keywords
Olympics - A major international multi-sport event held every four years.
Athletes - Somebody who competes in sports events.
GCSE - The national exams taken by 15 and 16-year-olds in parts of the UK.
Archery - Shooting with bows and arrows.
Role models - People you can look up to, who set a good example.
Michael Phelps - An American swimmer and the most successful Olympian of all time.
Role model - Somebody you can look up to for inspiration.
Wingspan - The distance between the ends of the wings of a bird or aircraft.
Inspire - Make someone want to do something, especially something creative.
Awe - Amazement and a feeling of wonder.
The teenagers going for gold in Paris
Young stars: The average age of an Olympic athlete is 26, but many, including Team GB's Martin and Tambling, are much younger. Glossary
Olympics - A major international multi-sport event held every four years.
Athletes - Somebody who competes in sports events.
GCSE - The national exams taken by 15 and 16-year-olds in parts of the UK.
Archery - Shooting with bows and arrows.
Role models - People you can look up to, who set a good example.
Michael Phelps - An American swimmer and the most successful Olympian of all time.
Role model - Somebody you can look up to for inspiration.
Wingspan - The distance between the ends of the wings of a bird or aircraft.
Inspire - Make someone want to do something, especially something creative.
Awe - Amazement and a feeling of wonder.