Former Olympic Swimmer Recalls Her Bronze Medal Story
Fumiko Okuno was an artistic swimmer from Japan.
Artistic swimming is a sport in water. Swimmers move together to music.
Okuno went to the Olympics in Barcelona.
The Olympics is a big sports event. It happens every four years.
Before the competition, Okuno had bad back pain.
Back pain means her back hurt a lot.
She said, "I have to do it." She wanted to compete anyway.
Okuno won a bronze medal in Barcelona.
A bronze medal is for third place. It is a big win.
She felt relief after winning. Relief means she felt happy and calm.
But that night, she got surprising news about the next day's duet.
A duet is when two swimmers perform together.
Okuno has now told this story many years later.
She is talking about her time as an athlete.
People can learn about her Olympic experience.
Vocabulary7 words
- artistic swimmer
- a person who swims and dances in water
- Olympics
- a big sports event with many countries
- back pain
- when your back hurts
- bronze medal
- a prize for third place
- relief
- a happy, calm feeling after worry
- duet
- two people performing together
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Artistic swimming 2. Back pain 3. Bronze
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Fumiko Okuno was an _____ swimmer from Japan.
Okuno went to the _____ in Barcelona.
Before the competition, Okuno had bad _____.
She said, "I have to do it." She wanted to _____ anyway.
Okuno won a _____ medal in Barcelona.
She felt _____ after winning.
That night, she got surprising news about the next day's _____.
A duet is when two swimmers _____ together.
Okuno has now told this _____ many years later.
People can learn about her Olympic _____.
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