Marathon Man
In 1896, a young man from Greece named Spiridon Louis ran one of the most exciting footraces ever.
Born in 1873 in a small house in the rocky hills above Athens, Spiridon helped his father tend the sheep from a very young age. After gathering the wool, they walked to the Athens market to sell it. It was in Athens Spiridon’s father told him the legend of Pheidippides, who ran from the village of Marathon to Athens, to tell his people that the Greeks had won a great battle, but died after delivering the message. The run of nearly 25 miles had been too much for him. The legend had inspired him for many years.
By the time he was in his early twenties, Spiridon was making a living selling fresh water from the hills. Twice a day he would load two barrels full of water on his mule and run alongside the mule to Athens, a trip of more than eight miles. Spiridon’s legs and heart grew strong from all that running. When he heard that a long race would be part of the Olympic Games, he decided to enter. The race would be called marathon, in honor of the legend of Pheidippides.
Held on the last day of the Olympics in Athens, the race included many excellent runners from several countries. When there were six miles to go, Edwin Flack of Australia was in the lead. But Spiridon, who had started out at a slower, steady pace, began to gain ground, and won the first Olympic marathon.
The Summer Olympic Games take place once every four years, bringing together athletes from all over the world. Perhaps the story of Spiridon will inspire the next winner of the Olympic marathon, just as Spiridon was inspired by the legend of Pheidippides so long ago.
【小题1】According to the legend, Phedippides died ________.| A．in the village of Marathon | B．because of the long-distance run |
| C．on his way delivering the message | D．in the great battle that the Greek had won |
| A．By selling the wool. | B．By running the mule. |
| C．By selling fresh water from the hills. | D．By helping his father tend the sheep. |
| A．To load water, Spiridon ran the mule to Athens every day. |
| B．Spiridon practised running by loading barrels full of water. |
| C．Spiridon did not run faster than others at the beginning of the race. |
| D．The Olympic Games were held to honor the legend of Pheidippides. |
| A．describe how Spiridon succeeded |
| B．honor the legend of Pheidippides |
| C．remember the first Olympic Games |
| D．motivate the athletes of the Olympic marathon |
