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Practice dictation & shadowing on the daily life story: Rowing
Rowing
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(1)
Rowing,
(2)
the sport of rowing, is one of the oldest organized sports in the Western world.
(3)
The modern version of the sport was developed mainly in England in the 19th century, especially in the public school system.
(4)
However, boat races somewhat similar to the modern sport took place in ancient Greece.
(5)
During the ancient version of the Olympics in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, rowing gained much popularity.
(6)
The sport was particularly famous in countries with a history of immigration from Great Britain, Canada, Australia and the United States of America.
(7)
Most of the main colonial countries had national championships and a world championship was regularly held.
(8)
The sport developed either in private clubs or in elite educational institutions.
(9)
In 1852, a race between Yale and Harvard universities in the US was the first organized athletic competition of any kind.
(10)
The turn of the century saw the sports ascendancy to one of the largest spectator sports.
(11)
Many regularly held races depended on betting or gambling to attract spectators.
(12)
The biggest international matches attracted thousands of spectators and much money was wagered.
(13)
Canadian Ned Hanlon was perhaps the greatest of the early rowing champions In the late 19th century.
(14)
He dominated international rowing races.
(15)
Hanlon also combined his rowing skill and prowess with his own unique brand of showmanship to attract spectators.
(16)
Hanlon is also known for having invented the sliding seat.
(17)
His wooden seat, set on wheels, greatly increased his efficiency and speed and gave him a distinct advantage over competitors.
(18)
Before Hamlin's time, rowers would wipe grease on a wooden platform in the boat and slide over the grease.
(19)
The older technique was less reliable and did not allow as much leg drive as Hamlin's newly invented seat.
(20)
As the 20th century unfolded, rowing lost some of its earlier public support and distinction in North America.
(21)
As professional sports attracted the attention of spectators and television viewers.
(22)
Other amateur sporting traditions such as rowing, lost support.
(23)
Today, rowing maintains a strong tradition under the administration of the world governing body for the sport.
(24)
However, the yearly World Championship does not typically receive the attention of other major sports events such as track and field.
(25)
The highlight of rowing competition is undoubtedly the Olympic Games.
(26)
However, older traditional races such as the English Henley and the yearly Oxford Cambridge Boat Race still attract large crowds.
(27)
A more recent development in rowing is recreational and Masters rowing.
(28)
In an attempt to regain popularity in the sport, many clubs in North America are offering less competitive recreational programs and encouraging older Masters rowers to participate.
(29)
This is probably a positive move and at least two reasons.
(30)
One is that the sport will attract many more participants.
(31)
However, the other equally important reason is that the sport might dispense some of the elitist image many people have of the sport as an English old boy sport.