Baron Pierre de Coubertin was a Frenchman. At his time sports were not taught in French schools. De Coubertin believed that sports should go hand in hand with studies. He had an idea. His idea was to begin the Olympics all over again.
Sports teachers of other countries liked De Coubertin ideas. So in 1896, the modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece. Since then the Olympics have been held once every four years, except three times, when there were wars.
The modern Olympic games have many foot races and field sports programs. The longest race in the games is called marathon.
Before the start of the Olympic Games, runners carry lighted torch(火炬) through many nations towards the stadium where the games will be held. These sportsmen are from different countries. Yet they work together to carry the Olympic torch. It is passed from runner to runner,  When the last runner enters the stadium, he or she places the torch in a special basin filled with oil. It catches fire. It is then, only then, that the Olympic Games can begin.
The Olympic flame burns throughout the games. It is the flame of peace.
【小题1】Before 1896 French schools didn't teach ______.  

Baron Pierre de Coubertin was a Frenchman. At his time sports were not taught in French schools. De Coubertin believed that sports should go hand in hand with studies. He had an idea. His idea was to begin the Olympics all over again.
Sports teachers of other countries liked De Coubertin ideas. So in 1896, the modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece. Since then the Olympics have been held once every four years, except three times, when there were wars.
The modern Olympic games have many foot races and field sports programs. The longest race in the games is called marathon.
Before the start of the Olympic Games, runners carry lighted torch(火炬) through many nations towards the stadium where the games will be held. These sportsmen are from different countries. Yet they work together to carry the Olympic torch. It is passed from runner to runner,  When the last runner enters the stadium, he or she places the torch in a special basin filled with oil. It catches fire. It is then, only then, that the Olympic Games can begin.
The Olympic flame burns throughout the games. It is the flame of peace.
【小题1】Before 1896 French schools didn't teach ______.  

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　　Life is not easy, so I'd like to say, “When anything happens, believe in yourself.”

　　When I was a young boy, I was 1 shy to talk to anyone. My classmates often 2 me.

　　I was sad but could do nothing. Later, 3 happened, and it changed my life. It was an English speech contest. My mother asked me to 4 it. What a terrible idea! It meant I had to speak 5 all the teachers and students of my school.

　　“Come on, boy. Believe in yourself. You are sure to 6 .” Then mother and I talked about many different topics. At last I 7 the topic “Believe in yourself”. I tried my best to remember all the speech and practiced it over 100 8 . With my mother's great love, I did 9 in the contest. I could hardly believe my 10 when the news came that I had won the first place. I heard the cheers (赞美) 11 the teachers and students. Those classmates 12 once looked down on (瞧不起) me, now all said “Congratulations!” 13 me. My mother hugged me and cried excitedly. 14 then, everything has changed for me. When I do anything, I try to tell 15 to be sure and I will find myself. This is true not only for a person but also for a country.