"La Bascule": A Special Camera Praised at European Athletics Championships
Listen to the story
A French television innovation called "la bascule" received special praise at the European Athletics Championships.
This broadcasting technique lets TV stations show sports events in a unique way. Foreign broadcasters have expressed strong interest in it.
According to reports, television networks around the world envy France for having this system. They wish they had similar technology.
The European Athletics Championships are a major event where athletes from across Europe compete in different sports.
French decathlete Kevin Mayer, a well-known champion, was also featured in recent news stories.
One year ago, Mayer married his partner, Delphine Jariel, in the city of Montpellier.
News outlets have looked back at their wedding, which people described as beautiful.
Delphine Jariel is not just Mayer's wife. She is also a high-level athlete herself.
However, she stays away from public attention and is known as a discreet person.
Kevin Mayer has built his reputation through the decathlon, one of the most demanding events in athletics.
The decathlon requires athletes to compete in ten separate track and field events over two days.
This combination tests speed, strength, and endurance all at once.
Mayer's success in this sport has made him one of France's most recognized athletes.
Meanwhile, the praise for "la bascule" shows how French sports broadcasting is gaining international recognition.
Both stories, though different, reflect achievements connected to French sports and media this week.
Vocabulary7 words
- bascule
- a special TV technique to switch or combine camera views
- broadcasting
- sending TV or radio programs to viewers
- envy
- to want something that someone else has
- decathlete
- an athlete who competes in the decathlon
- high-level
- very skilled; at the top of a sport
- discreet
- quiet; not wanting public attention
- endurance
- the ability to keep doing something hard for a long time
Quiz
Answer key
1. A French broadcasting technique for TV 2. She avoids public attention 3. Ten
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A French television innovation called "la bascule" received special _____ at the European Athletics Championships.
This broadcasting technique lets TV stations show sports events in a unique _____.
Foreign broadcasters have expressed strong _____ in it.
According to reports, television networks around the world _____ France for having this system.
French decathlete Kevin Mayer, a well-known _____, was also featured in recent news stories.
One year ago, Mayer married his partner, Delphine Jariel, in the city of _____.
Delphine Jariel is not just Mayer's wife. She is also a high-level _____ herself.
However, she stays away from public attention and is known as a _____ person.
The decathlon requires athletes to compete in ten separate track and field _____.
This combination tests speed, strength, and _____ all at once.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think other countries' TV stations would want a system like "la bascule"?
- What qualities do you think are needed to be a successful decathlete?
- Why might someone like Delphine Jariel choose to stay out of the public eye, even as a champion?
- How important do you think broadcasting technology is for making sports more exciting to watch?