18.Athletes, sports

Q1 Should students have physical education and do sports at school?

Ans- I think physical education should definitely be part of school. The main reason is that it guarantees every child does some exercise. At home, most kids would just sit with their phones, play computer games, or watch YouTube, so school is really the only place that pushes them to move. It's also important because not all parents have time or even the awareness to make sure their children are active. When it's in the school program, at least you know every child is doing something. Another point is that PE helps build healthy habits from a young age. If kids don't learn that at school, many of them won't pick it up later. And school gives all children equal chances to try different sports. At home, some families might not have the equipment or money to give their kids those opportunities. It also keeps children healthier, because regular activity at school prevents a lot of health problems. Besides, school is a safe place for sports, and it teaches social skills through team games. Without organized PE classes, kids might never learn cooperation or teamwork properly. And honestly, if it's not in the schedule, most students won't replace it with something useful. They will just spend more time scrolling online. So, I'd say PE in school is really necessary. It's not perfect for everyone, but it's one of the few guarantees that kids actually stay active.

Q2 Is it easy to identify children's talents?

Ans- You know, sometimes, it's apparent, like when a child shows a natural inclination towards something or when a child excels in certain activities without much effort or formal training. For example, if you see that a child effortlessly starts playing a musical instrument and quickly learns to play tunes without much practice, you can suggest a child has a natural aptitude or talent for playing instruments. Similarly, if a child shows a keen interest in solving puzzles from a young age and demonstrates an ability to solve complex puzzles with ease, it suggests that they have a natural knack for problem-solving. Or if a child can create detailed and visually appealing artworks without much guidance, it indicates a natural aptitude for artistic expression. But if children aren't exposed to different activities like music, sports, arts, or other hobbies, it becomes difficult for them to explore and discover where their interests and talents lie.

Q3 Is talent important in sports?

Ans- Absolutely, talent plays an important role in sports. It's like having a natural head start that can set athletes apart. Whether it's the innate physical attributes, quick skill acquisition, or the ability to make split-second decisions under pressure, talent sets the stage for excellence. Athletes with inherent abilities often have a higher skill ceiling, which enables them to reach exceptional levels of proficiency. This competitive advantage is like a secret weapon that can be the game-changer in tightly contested matches. Beyond the field, talent attracts sponsorship, investment, and fans, and therefore contributes to the overall appeal and popularity of the sport. It's the perfect blend of nature and nurture, where talent, when coupled with hard work, dedication, and the right environment, creates the recipe for sporting greatness.

Q4 What characteristics do you think an athlete should have?

Ans- Oh, to my mind, there are lots of personal and physical qualities that an athlete must have. First of all, I think athletes should be self-confident by nature 'cause the greater an athlete's confidence, the more willing they are to keep trying even when failing. Another important quality is a strong sense of motivation. I know that high-performing athletes are motivated by the desire to beat their competition, crush their current personal best, and prove to themselves their hard work wasn't for nothing. A commitment to excellence, which is an obsession to do whatever it takes to be the best is a key ingredient to success, is essential as well. Also, athletes should have a strong sense of focus 'cause it allows them to channel all their ability into competition when it matters most, and this focus allows them to remain in the moment. One more crucial quality is passion. Without passion, it is hard, or maybe impossible, to put in the type of work necessary to be successful. And it's passion that makes an athlete willing to jump through hoops, go through all the ups and downs and everything in between to reach their goals. And, of course, I can't help mentioning persistence, self-discipline, optimism, an ability to manage stress, acceptance of criticism, competitive spirit, and willingness to practice long and hard, to name but a few. Also, there are a number of essential physical qualities of an athlete such as mobility, speed, endurance, balance and coordination, power and time sense. All these characteristics allow athletes to move effectively, run more, cycle longer, swim stronger, squat a near-maximal load, explode off the line or propel themselves off the ground.

Q5 Why are there so few top athletes?

Ans- To my mind, the main reason is that the path to becoming a top athlete is full of struggles, and very few people are ready and willing to walk the path. First of all, becoming a stellar athlete requires lots of practice and conditioning, and this takes time. This is time athletes could spend with friends, studying for classes, sleeping, traveling and engaging in a wide variety of other pursuits. Also, becoming a stellar athlete requires lots of daily sacrifices that range from tiny to massive. For example, athletes may not be able to drink alcohol with their friends the night before a game. Athletes need plenty of rest and a healthy diet to be at peak performance. Being a top athlete means spending almost all the time training and competing, which isn't not easy. So as I've said before, becoming a top athlete requires intense effort and determination, and one must be willing to sacrifice what others are unwilling to give up.

Q6 What kind of sports are popular in your country?

Q7 What is the most popular sport in your country?

Ans- Oh, I would say all kinds of ball games. People in my country are fond of football because it has simple rules, can be played just with a ball almost anywhere, is very entertaining to watch and play and very short which makes viewers actively involved in the game from the beginning to the end. There are also a lot of basketball and volleyball fans. Basketball can be played with 5 or more friends all at the same time and provides a whole lot of fun. Volleyball is very aerobic and athletic and attracts people with its strategy. These days there are also lots of people in my country enjoying tennis which is one of the most dynamic sports requiring total involvement of its players. Tennis encourages interaction, communication and just plain fun and is a great stress reliever which makes it even more loveable.