There are two main sets of modern Olympic Games — the Winter and the Summer Olympics, and both     1     (hold) every four years on a regular basis. The Winter Olympics     2     (usual) take place two years before the Summer Games.

In the Summer Olympics there are running races, together with swimming, sailing and all the team sports. And in the Winter Olympics, there are competitions like skiing and ice skating     3     need snow and ice. That’s why they are called the Winter Olympics.

In ancient times,     4     (athlete) from the Greek world competed against each other just for the honour of     5     (win). No other countries could join in, nor could slaves or women! Nowadays any country can take part     6     the Olympic Games if their athletes are good enough. There are over 250 sports and each one has     7     (it) own standard. Women are not only allowed, but play a very important role in gymnastics, athletics, and team sports.

For each Olympics, a special village is built for athletes     8     (live) in, a main reception building, several stadiums for competitions, and a gymnasium as well. As     9     matter of fact, every country wants the opportunity. It’s a great     10     (responsible) but also a great honour to be chosen.

When the modern Olympic Games     1     (start) in 1896 in Athens, Greece, there was no such thing as the Winter Olympics.     2    (player) completed only in the Summer Games. However, there were the Nordic Games. There was a(n)     3    (compete) of winter sports that took place every few years starting in 1901. But the Nordic Games were only to athletes     4    Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

The winter sports were popular, so in 1924 an International Winter Sports Week     5     (hold) in Chamonix, France. About 250 athletes from 16 countries   competed in nine sports   and there were 11 female athletes,     6     competed in figure skating.

Still, the Winter Olympics were under way, adding more sports to the games and     7     (especial) more sports for women. Women got the chance     8    (take) part in skiing, ice hockey(冰球）    9     other sports. Now the Games have such     10    (interest) events as snowboarding and skeleton(俯式冰橇）.