ProCon
Olympics
Are the Olympic Games a benefit for their host countries and cities? Scholars decide for themselves in preparation for a class debate or discussion. After reading a brief background and overview of the topic, pupils read the top three...
ProCon
Drug Use in Sports
The ancient Greeks used performance enhancing drugs, such as opium juice, when they participated in the original Olympic Games. Pupils research a website with debate topics to decide if athletes' use of such drugs in modern sports is...
Penn Museum
Maya Ball
Sure the ancient Mayan civilization had an advanced calendar and mathematical system, but did you know that they also played a great team sport like basketball? Invite your learners to discover the great ballcourt at Chichen Itza and...
Archaeological Institute of America
The Ancient Olympics: Winning at Olympia
New studies challenge traditional notions about Greek Athletes and why they competed.
Able Media
Able Media Llc: The Ancient Olympics
A series of articles and historical information about the history, origins, and events of the ancient Olympics.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Gertrude Ederle, First Woman to Swim the English Channel
This resource provides information about Gertrude Ederle.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Leon Spinks
This entry from Encyclopedia Brittanica's Guide to Black History features Leon Spinks, an American boxer who won an Olympic gold medal in 1976 and was the world heavyweight champion in 1978. He and Michael Spinks became the first...
Stephen Byrne
History for Kids: Jim Thorpe
History for Kids presents an overview of the life story of Jim Thorpe, a Native American from Oklahoma who was a superb athlete competing in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics before moving on to play professional baseball and football.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Short Track Speed Skating
Here is a concise article on short track speed skating which includes great illustrations of the short track (it shows how it differs from the long track), the "glide stride" used by skaters, and the skates worn by competitors. Watch a...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Speed Skating
This detailed article includes a history of speed skating, information on rules, different tracks and competitions, and links form more information. A good starting point for students researching this Winter Olympics sport.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Figure Skating
This is a great resource for fans of figure skating and those wanting to know more about the technical aspects of the sport. Read about the equipment, jumps, spins, steps, and scoring system. Also, learn about the history of the sport,...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Curling
This article on curling provides a history of the sport, as well as "basics of the game," information on the playing surface, players and equipment. Includes a "graphical depiction of a curling sheet," photographs of equipment and a lot...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Nordic Combined
Read about the history, events, and equipment associated with Nordic Combined, a Winter Olympics sport. This brief encyclopedia article is a good introduction to the sport and includes links for more research and detailed information.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Leon Spinks
Biographical sketch of American boxer Leon Spinks, who won an Olympic gold medal in 1976 and was the world heavyweight champion in 1978. He and Michael Spinks became the first brothers to win gold medals in the same sport at the same...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Michael Spinks
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Michael Spinks, an American boxer who was both the light heavyweight (1981-85) and heavyweight (1985-88) world champion and an Olympic gold medalist (1976). He and Leon Spinks became the...
Black Past
Black Past: Rudolph, Wilma
This brief encyclopedia entry gives the high points of Wilma Rudolph's life and her success as an athlete.
Black Past
Black Past: Muhammad Ali
In this brief encyclopedia entry, you can read about Muhammad Ali, famous as a boxer, but, perhaps more so, as an ambassador of good will. There are links to other websites for more information.