The Greatest Show onEarth

The Olympic Gamesare the greatest festival of sport in the world.Every four years,a hundred ormore countries send their best sportsmen to compete for the highest honors in

sport.As many as6,000 people take part in over twenty sports.For the winners,there are goldmedals and glory.But there is honor,too,for all

who compete,win orlose.That is the spirit of the Olympics-to take part is what matters.

The Olympic Gamesalways start in a bright color and action.The teams of all the nations paradein the opening ceremony and march round the track.The custom is for the

Greek team to marchin first.For it was in Greecethat the Olympics began.The team of the country where the Games are beingheld-the host country-marches in last.

The runner with theOlympic torch then enters the stadium and lights the flame.A sportsman from thehost country takes the Olympic oath on behalf of all the

competitors.Thejudges and officials also take an oath.After the sportsmen march out of thestadium,the host country puts on a wonderful display.

The competitionsbegin the next day.There are usually more than twenty sports in the Games.Therule is that there must be at least fifteen.The main events are in track and

field,but it is afew days before these sports start.Each day the competitors take part in adifferent sport-riding,shooting,swimming,and cross-country running.Points aregained

for eachevent.Medals are awarded for the individual winners and for national teams.

More and more womenare taking part in the Games.They first competed in 1900,in tennis and golf,which are no longer held in the Olympics.Women's swimming events

were introduced in1912.But it was not until 1928 that there were any track and field events forwomen.Now,they compete in all but half a dozen of the sports.In horse

riding,shooting,andboat racing,they may compete in the same events as the men.Who takes theOlympic oath?

A.A judge from aforeign country.

B.An officer fromthe host country.

C.A Greek sportsman.

D.A sportsman fromthe host country.