World Alternative Games (1)

These aren’t your usual sports

During the summer of 2012, the U.K. was excitedly preparing for the Summer Olympics in London. The fine folk Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, Wales, wanted to commemorate the historical event with their own competition. But Olympic sports are a little boring and mundane, they thought. What about some different events? So a small group organized Llanwrtyd's own "Olympics," the World Alternative Games.

The tiny town of Llanwrtyd had played host to some strange sporting events before. Already established there were the World Bog Snorkeling Championships and the Man vs. Horse Marathon. But locals wanted to create an event that thousands could attend and even participate in. The World Alternative Games was the solution - a competition that's a little less rigid but no less exciting than the famed Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Like the Olympic Games, the World Alternative Games awards first, second and third place winners with gold, silver and bronze medals. But the point of the World Alternative Games isn't to win; it's just to take part and have fun! All event participants get a medal, even if they come in last!


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Mascots and Changing Language
從吉祥物看語言的演變
許多的運動競賽中,
從學校的校隊或職業球隊都會有吉祥物,
早期的mascot 只是單純為了祈福,
後來因為商業利益, 也用在品牌和產品上面, 代表企業的形象,
但早期用的文字有些是帶有負面的形象,
像是 印弟安人和red skin 都有扁低美國原住民的含意,
為了不要有種族岐視問題, 許多球隊因此改名,
Stanford University 原本的mascot為印弟安人, 就因此改為cardinal


Language Lab
alternative adj. 非傳統的, 另類的, 替代的, 供選擇的
deliberately different from what is usual, expected, or traditional;
an alternative idea, plan etc is different from the one you have and can be used instead
- The cancer patient is seeking alternative therapy.
- The highway is closed, so we need to take an alternative route, or we'll be late.

mundane adj. 一般的, 不希罕的 (重音在第二音節)
/ˌmʌnˈdeɪn/
ordinary and not interesting or exciting [= boring]
- This job might be too mundane for such a creative person like Henry.
- Doreen seems to enjoy these simple, mundane household chores.

rigid adj. 嚴苛的, 死板的
rigid methods, systems etc are very strict and difficult to change
- Many students have a hard time adjusting to the rigid rules at this school.
- The rigid company policies made the employees feel like they were being treated like machines.

participant n. 參與者, 參加者
someone who is taking part in an activity or event
- The participants in the course are mostly teachers or parents.
participate v. 參與, 參加
to take part in an activity or event:
- Everyone on the team should participate in the discussion.