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SportsPolitics137 words1 min read

Italian Swimmers Lead Team at Mediterranean Games

Sailboats on a sparkling lake with mountains in background
Photo by István Gerényi on Unsplash
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Listen to the story

The Mediterranean Games are on now. Many countries send athletes to compete.

Italy has a swimming team there. Two swimmers, Pilato and Razzetti, are leading the Italian team. They are the team's stars.

Butini is the coach of the Italian swimming team. He talked about the Games and his swimmers.

There was an opening ceremony for the Games. Giorgia Meloni is the Italian Prime Minister. People booed her at the ceremony. This means they shouted to show they did not like her.

Sergio Mattarella is the Italian President. People cheered for him. This is called an ovation. It means people clap a lot to show respect.

The Pope visited San Marino. San Marino is a small country in Italy. Someone gave the Pope a team shirt. The shirt was for the Taranto 2026 Games.

Vocabulary8 words

Mediterranean Games
a big sports event for countries near the Mediterranean Sea
coach
a person who trains a sports team
ceremony
a special event with actions to celebrate something
Prime Minister
the leader of the government
booed
shouted 'boo' to show you do not like someone
President
the top leader of a country
ovation
long, loud clapping to show respect
Pope
the leader of the Catholic Church

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Quiz

1. What event is happening?
2. Who was booed at the opening ceremony?
3. Who received cheers at the ceremony?

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Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

The _____ Games are on now.

Many countries send _____ to compete.

Italy has a _____ team there.

Pilato and Razzetti are _____ the Italian team.

Butini is the _____ of the Italian swimming team.

There was an opening _____ for the Games.

People _____ Giorgia Meloni at the ceremony.

People _____ for Mattarella.

The _____ visited San Marino.

Someone gave the Pope a team _____ for Taranto 2026.

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