Have you ever wondered how your favorite NBA team received its famous name? All NBA teams have an interesting story or a history behind their names. Some of the names reflect the city’s culture or history, others came from previous owners and many were selected through “Name the Team” contests.

For teams like Los Angeles and Utah, the names were not always a reflection of the city. Even though Los Angeles has no lakes, the Laker name has been a city treasure. Before going to Los Angeles，the team originated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1948, team officials chose the name for its direct relationship to the state’s motto “The Land of 10000 Lakes”. The team name went unchanged after moving to Los Angeles in 1960.

Because Utah’s team originated in New Orleans, Louisiana, it was called the Jazz. In 1974, New Orleans club officials chose the name to re-present the city for its reputation as the “jazz capital of the world”. The name stayed with the team even after finding a new home in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1979.

The Chicago Bulls’ original owner, Richard Klein, named the team Bulls. He picked the name because a fighting bull is relentless, and never quits. Klein, who founded the club in 1966, believed these qualities were necessary for a championship team and hoped his Chicago athletes would live up to the team name. A belief that Bulls — winner of the six NBA championships — have definitely followed.

In 1967, the Indiana Pacers selected their team name in a different way from most other teams. Their decision was based on what they wanted to accomplish in the NBA. Team officials chose the Pacers name because the organization wanted to set the “pace” in professional basketball.

The Olympic Games are the       24    (big) sports meeting in the world,     25    include two kinds, the Summer and the Winter Olympics. Both of them     26    (hold) every four years. All countries can take part     27     their athletes have reached the agreed standards for the games. Women are not only allowed     28    (compete) in the games but play a very important role. A special village is built for the competitors to live in, where there is a main reception building, several     29    (stadium) for competitions, a gymnasium as well as seats for those who watch the games. It’s a great honor     30    (host) the Olympic Games. The olive wreath     31    (replace) by medals. But it’s still about     32    (be) able to run faster, jump higher and throw     33    (far).