1. Complete the passage below, using the correct form of the verb in brackets
(present perfect or past simple)
The Olympic Games
The original Olympic Games (begin) around 800 ВС in Ancient Greece, and
(continue) until they (be) abolished by the Roman Emperor Theodosius in AD
393. The first modern Olympics (take place) in Athens in 1896, and since then,
more than a dozen different countries (stage) the Summer Olympics. The cities of
Paris, London, Berlin and Los Angeles (stage) the Olympics twice. In 1956,
Australia (become) the first country outside Europe and America to stage the
Olympics, while Mexico (be) the first Latin American country to stage the
Olympics in 1968.
Many of the greatest athletes of the world (take part) in the Olympic Games, but
no one (equal) the achievements of the great Finnish athlete, Paaro Nurmi, who
between 1920 and 1928 (win) 9 gold and 3 silver medals.
The Olympic Games (see) many tragedies and triumphs. For example, in the
marathon of 1908, the little Italian, Dorandо Pietri (collapse) 5 times in the last
part of the race, but (come) first — only to be disqualified because spectators
(help) him over the finishing line. And in 1936, the famous black American athlete
Jesse Owens (break) six world records in a single day!
From the first Olympics in Athens, when only 14 countries (participate), the
Olympics (grow) to include over 200 countries. Gold, silver and bronze medals
(go) to over 8000 men and women.

2. Complete the passage below, using the correct form of the verb in brackets
(present perfect or past simple)
The Olympic Games
The original Olympic Games began around 800 ВС in Ancient Greece, and
continued until they were abolished by the Roman Emperor Theodosius in AD 393.
The first modern Olympics took place in Athens in 1896, and since then, more than
a dozen different countries have staged the Summer Olympics. The cities of Paris,
London, Berlin and Los Angeles have staged the Olympics twice. In 1956, Australia
became the first country outside Europe and America to stage the Olympics, while
Mexico was the first Latin American country to stage the Olympics in 1968.
Many of the greatest athletes of the world have taken part in the Olympic Games,
but no one has equalled the achievements of the great Finnish athlete, Paaro
Nurmi, who between 1920 and 1928 won 9 gold and 3 silver medals.
The Olympic Games have seen many tragedies and triumphs. For example, in the
marathon of 1908, the little Italian, Dorandо Pietri collapsed 5 times in the last part
of the race, but came first — only to be disqualified because spectators helped him
over the finishing line. And in 1936, the famous black American athlete Jesse
Owens broke six world records in a single day!
From the first Olympics in Athens, when only 14 countries participated, the
Olympics have grown to include over 140 countries. Gold, silver and bronze medals
have gone to over 8000 men and women.