In this event, the gymnast performs on two long wooden bars about 165 centimetres high and slightly more than shoulder width apart. He supports himself on the bars with his hands while performing handstands, swings, twists, and other acrobatic movements. The gymnast may perform several holding positions on the parallel bars. In each one, he must remain motionless for one or two seconds. In addition, he performs various strength movements that require great arm power and must be done slowly.
The horizontal bar event takes place on a somewhat flexible steel bar fastened about 250 centimetres above the floor between two supports. The gymnast holds the bar with one or both hands and swings around it repeatedly. He performs several acrobatic movements without coming to a full stop. During this routine, he must reverse his position, which involves a change of grip on the bar. He also must perform manoeuvres that require him to release his grip and regain it again while in the air. Many gymnasts finish this event with a spectacular dismount from the bar. They swing rapidly around the bar, let go, and twist or somersault in the air before landing on their feet.
All-round competition for men consists of all six events. In national and international competitions, an all-around competitor must perform a compulsory routine in each event. This routine involves a set sequence of movements. The gymnast then performs an optional routine in each of the six events, doing whatever movements he chooses. Only all-around gymnasts compete in international competition.
Vocabulary and Speech Exercises
Ex. 1. Look at the pictures and name the events a men's gymnastic competition consists of. Put the pictures in the events performing order.
a
b
c
d
e
f
Ex. 2. Say which English sentence contains Russian equivalent term:
кольца
The parallel bars is the apparatus that is used for men's training.
He is a champion in the floor exercises.
A gymnast must be very strong to perform on the rings.
конь-махи
The vaulting horse is shared by both men and women.
The horse vault is performed on a stand that resembles the pommel horse but has no pommels.
The rings is an event held on two wooden rings suspended from cables.
перекладина
The parallel bars are used only by men.
The horizontal or high bar produces probably the most exciting moments in gymnastics.
The pommel horse event is performed on a piece of equipment called a horse.
Ex. 3. Complete the sentences, using the pictures as prompts:
The most difficult apparatus for me is the ...
Our national team was the best team in the ...
He was the best on the ...
His favourite apparatus was the ...
Ex. 4. Read the text. Insert the missing terms from the list:
floor exercises, rings, vaulting horse, pommel horse, horizontal bar, parallel bars
Many young men and women go in for gymnastics in our republic. They have necessary facilities, equipment and coaching in gymnastics. The gymnasts take part in competitions. Each gymnast may perform exercise on apparatus and the ... . There are some kinds of apparatus for men and women and the ... and the ... for both of them.
It is necessary to distinguish the pieces of apparatus for supporting position and hanging position.
Among pieces of apparatus for supporting position the following are considered: the ... and ..., and among apparatus for handing position: the ... and ... .
Ex. 5. Explain the terms used in gymnastics:
* all-around gymnast
* specialist
* apparatus
* compulsory routine
* optional routine
* all-around competition
* all-around champion
* motionless
* springboard
* grasp
Ex. 6. Name:
* the types of gymnastics competitions;
* the events of which a men's gymnastics competition consist;
* the floor exercises;
* the exercises on the pommel horse;
* the exercises on the rings;
* the exercises on the parallel bars;
* the exercises on the horizontal bars.
Ex. 7. Say what you know about:
* the order of performing the events in a men's gymnastics competition;
* the pommel horse;
* the rings;
* the horse vault;
* the parallel bars;
* the horizontal bar;
* all-around competition for men.
Ex. 8. Speak on the topic:
* the apparatus for men's gymnastic competitions;
* the programme of men's gymnastic competitions;
* gymnast performance on the horizontal bar (rings, pommel horse, horse vault, parallel bars).
Task V. Study the vocabulary to the text “Women's events” and translate the sentences:
1. side horse vault опорный прыжок (для женщин)
e.g. The side horse vault is performed on the same equipment used in men's horse vaulting.
2. uneven parallel bars разновысокие брусья
syn. asymmetrical bars
e.g. In the uneven parallel bars the athlete switches rapidly back and forth
from one bar to the other.
3. balance beam бревно (гимнастическое)
e.g. The balance beam is used only by women in competitions.
4. count v засчитывать
e.g. Only the higher of the two scores counts.
5. agility n ловкость, быстрота
e.g. The athlete swings require great agility.
6. cartwheel n “колесо”
7. back handspring переворот назад, фляк
8. accompaniment n сопровождение, аккомпанемент
Task VI. Read the text and draw up the programme of the women's gymnastics competition.
Text 3. Women's events
A women's gymnastics competition has four events. In order of performance, they are (1) side horse vault, (2) uneven parallel bars, (3) balance beam, and (4) floor exercise. Most women gymnasts enter all these events.
The side horse vault is performed on the same equipment used in men's horse vaulting. But women gymnasts vault across the horse's width rather than its length. In most competitions, the gymnast vaults twice, but only the higher of the two scores counts.
In the uneven parallel gymnasts compete on two parallel wooden bars, one about 230 centimetres above the floor and the other about 150 centimetres high. The athlete swings around one bar at a time, performing manoeuvres that require great flexibility and agility. She switches rapidly back and forth from one bar to the other, trying to keep in constant motion.
The balance beam involves a long wooden beam about 10 centimetres wide. Competitors perform jumps, leaps, running steps, and turns on it and try to use the beam's full length. The best performers also do cartwheels, back handsprings, and somersaults. The routine must last at least 1 minute 10 seconds but not more than 1 minute 30 seconds.
The floor exercise is performed on a mat that resembles the one used in the men's floor exercise. Women gymnasts perform this event with a musical accompaniment. Each contestant designs her routine to match the tempo and mood of the music she has selected. She must take at least 1 minute 10 seconds and not more than 1 minute 30 seconds to demonstrate her skill in acrobatics, dancing, and tumbling.
All-around competition for women includes all four events. In national and international competitions, every competitor performs a compulsory routine in each event and then an optional routine in each. International competition is open only to all-around gymnasts.
Ex. 1. Look at the pictures and name the events a women's gymnastic ccompetition consists of. Put the pictures in the events performing order.
Страницы: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
