The final event in the Olympics is the marathon. It is also usually the most exciting. As the leader comes into the stadium to run the last few meters of the 42-kilometer race, the crowd rises to its feet to shout and cheer. The name of the race comes from a battle(战争) in Ancient Greece. According to the story, a soldier ran from the battle field, Marathon, to Athens, to bring the news of a Greek victory against the Persians. He died just after arriving.

The marathon has been an Olympic event since the modern games started in 1896. At first the distance was 40 kilometers—the distance between Marathon and Athens. In 1908, however, at the London Olympics, it was changed. The King of England wanted the runners to leave from his castle in Windsor and arrive in a new stadium in central London. The distance was 26 miles—about 42 kilometers. In fact, the 1908 marathon ended dramatically(戏剧性地). When the leader, an Italian, entered the stadium he turned the wrong way and fell onto the ground. Officials picked him up and helped him to the finishing line, just as the second runner, an American, entered the stadium. The Americans protested(抗议) and in the end the American runner was declared(宣布) the winner. Since then, there have been many more exciting marathons.

In fact, you don’t have to wait for the Olympic Games to run or watch a marathon, as there are marathons in over sixty countries and hundreds of cities around the world today. One of the most famous marathons is in New York, and is watched by two million people around the streets and across the bridges of the city, and past New York’s famous landmarks. But perhaps one of the most beautiful and unique marathons ever is the Great Wall Marathon, which most competitors find is the toughest course to run.

The marathon is the final Olympic event because it is thought to be the hardest. But experts believe that most people—even people who are not very good at sport—can run a marathon, if they train for it.

30 November 2017,Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic defeated Scottish Andy Murray 6-1, 7-5,7-6in the Australian Open 2017 final to win the Grand Slam event (大满贯) for the sixth time. Murray has lost five Australian Open finals, facing Djokovic in all but one of them.

Djokovic dominated the first set, winning 6-1 in just half an hour. He served seven aces (得分的发球) in total in the match. Murray fought back in the second set, which went up to twelve games lasting for 80 minutes. It was the longest set and Murray had nine aces, twelve in total for the match. Djokovic had 41 unforced errors, compared to Murray’s 65.

The third set lasted for 63 minutes and at 6-6 it went to a tie breaker, which Djokovic won 7--3, to win the eleventh Grand Slam title of his career.

Djokovic has now equalled the record of Roy Emerson winning six Australian Opens. Djokovic after the match said,” Andy, you are a great champion and friend. I’m sure you’ll have more opportunities to fight for this trophy”. Murray congratulated Djokovic, saying “I feel like I’ve been here before. Congratulations, Novak. Six Australian Opens is an incredible feat(业绩). The last year has been incredible. Good job.” He also left a message for his wife Kim Sears, “I’ll be on the next flight home.” The couple is expecting a baby.

Yesterday, Jamie Murray, Andy Murray’s elder brother，won the Australian Open Men’s doubles with Bruno Soares. Andy Murray was there in the audience, recording his brothers speech, to which Jamie said, “Andy, you should be in bed!”