olympic

Everyday

1. Olympic means about the Olympic Games, the biggest international sports competition, held every four years in summer and winter versions. tree →
2. Olympic can describe something big or of top standard, like an Olympic-size pool. tree →

In the lessons

In sport and PE, athletes compete for gold, silver and bronze medals; the Olympic flag has five rings for the continents. The Paralympic Games are for disabled athletes. In history, the first Olympic Games were held in ancient Greece at Olympia. Phrases: "Olympic Games", "Olympic champion", "Olympic-size pool" (50 metres long).

Examples

• She wants to be an Olympic swimmer. tree →
• The Olympic flag has five coloured rings. tree →
• We watched the Olympics on TV. tree →
• An Olympic-size pool is fifty metres long. tree →
• He became an Olympic champion. tree →
• The Olympic torch was carried across the country. tree →
• The first Olympic Games were held in ancient Greece. tree →
• These races, like the Olympic Games, were celebrated at intervals of four years, and were called Herae. tree →

Note

Write with a capital O: Olympic, the Olympics. Do not confuse with "Olympian" (a person who takes part; also a Greek god of Mount Olympus). The summer and winter Games now take turns, two years apart.