WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

In small groups compile a list of famous Slovenian {athletes;athlete = (n) sportswoman or sportsman who exercises to become physically fit and competes in sports }.What do their sports achievements mean for the nation? What is the surname of the sportswoman in the photo? Unscramble the letters below. Write some facts you know about her and then create some fan material by using the ‘Activity Idea 1’ below.

Now, listen to an interview with Petra Majdič.

Pick the right answer about Petra Majdič.

Petra started skiing because she {could_train_it_near_her_home;that_was_her_future_life_path;didn't_like_athletics} .
Her motivation was to cross her own limits and {beat_her_competitors;be_richer_than_her_rivals;work_in_better_conditions} .
Her typical day included hard work and {following_a_strict_timetable;a_lot_of_rest;compulsory_diet} .
Her team was one of the reasons she {didn't_give_up_at_the_2010_Olympics;wasn't_good_at_the_2010_Olympics;lost_a_lot_of_energy} .
Petra's advice to young people is to {have_the_courage_to_follow_one's_goal;always_listen_to_other_people;remember_that_you_will_always_fall} .

Here are some facts about Petra Majdič, but some are not correct. Can you spot the mistakes? Click them and then, try to correct them.

- won 7 World Cup races
- the first Slovenian cross-country skier to win the World Cup race, the first to get a medal at the World Championships and the first to get an Olympic medal
- the fourth most successful World Cup competitor of all time
- skied off-course in the 2010 Olympics suffering a bad accident but she returned to the course and finished 6th
- awarded the Golden Order for Services by the President of Slovenia in 2010 and was proclaimed the Slovenian Woman of the Year for 2010 by the readers of Jana magazine
- won a bronze medal in freestyle sprint of the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2011 in Oslo
- won her first sprint title after winning the World Cup sprint in Stockholm in 2011

AUDIO SCRIPT

What were the reasons you started skiing?
When I was a child, I had too much energy. And because I lived in a place that wasn’t close to Ljubljana, I couldn’t go there daily for athletic or volleyball training. So, I chose a sport that had a club close to my home. So to do the training, every day after school I took my bike and rode 5km in one direction (it was good to warm up and cool down). I just never wanted to admit to myself that my social environment could determine my future life path.

What motivated you to do more, to train harder?
To discover my limits. And rivals always motivate me. They often show us in many ways that they are richer, they have more knowledge, or history in this sport. I just wanted to prove to them that the will, talent, and hard work can surmount the influence of money and better working conditions.

What does a typical day of a champion look like?
Hard discipline for many years. I woke up at about 7 am. Firstly, I measured my pulse (three times - in the prone position, as soon as I got up, and after one minute). That was followed by stretching, a compulsory breakfast, the first part of training for about four hours, a snack, changing, and showering, stretching, lunch, and mandatory rest. Then, followed my obligations to the media, sponsors, . . . the second part of training in the length of approximately three hours. . . , changing, showering, stretching, and then dinner. Then, I would do the video analysis technique and training planning. Preparation of equipment, clothing, and food for the next day and sleep at about 22:00.

What were some of the best moments in your career?
The first victory in the World Cup, which happened just at the time when I was thinking of finishing my career after having faced a big disappointment at the Olympic Games 2006 in Turin. And of course, the Olympic Games in Vancouver 2010. That was the moment when I realized what an enormous amount of energy and will the team can give. Their hard work and support was my extra motivation. But when I look back on my career now I can say that every day was something special and I’m grateful for all the pain and sunshine on that path.

There are many young people who would like to follow your steps and become famous athletes. What would your message to them be?
Do not allow your social environment dictate your path, limits, or capabilities. If you want to reach the top, you have to dare to be different. Because when you step to the top, you certainly become different: YOU ARE THE BEST. And at the top the view is more clear and beautiful, but it is also windy up there. When you are stepping towards the top, it is good to remember each step in case you have to descend - which certainly will occur - so that you will not fall; you may just find a new path that leads even higher.

Here is a list of characteristics associated with sport. In pairs, pick three that you find crucial for success in a certain sport. Check their meaning in a dictionary, or in the ‘Words to Remember’ below.

agility
aggressiveness
beautiful body
commitment
competitiveness

control of emotions
courage
dedication
determination
discipline

enthusiasm
family role models
focus
natural talent
optimism

self-confidence
stamina
strong muscles
team spirit
time management
tolerance for pain

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