Sports Day · Worksheet 1
The Day the Torch Came to Tokyo
Read the story. 英文を読もう。
1On October 10, 1964, a young runner carried a torch into a huge stadium in Tokyo. His name was Yoshinori Sakai, and he was a college student. He was born in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, the day of the atomic bomb. When he lit the Olympic flame, the crowd in the stadium cheered. It was the first Olympic Games in Asia.
2Two years later, Japan made October 10 a national holiday to remember that day. It was called Taiiku no Hi, or Health and Sports Day. Taiiku means physical education, like the PE class at school. In 2000, the holiday moved to the second Monday of October. So now most people enjoy a three-day weekend.
3In 2020, the holiday got a new name, Sports no Hi, or Sports Day. Many people felt that the word sports sounds more fun and free than PE. The law now says the day is for enjoying sports and respecting other people. That year, Tokyo planned to host the Olympics again, so the holiday moved to July 24. But the Games were delayed for one year, and that October had no holiday at all!
4How do people spend the day? In October, many schools and towns hold an undokai, a sports festival. Children run relays, play tug of war, and throw small balls into a high basket. Families sit on picnic mats and share big boxes of lunch. Some cities also open their gyms and pools for free.
5Sports Day is a good day to try something new. You do not need to be fast or strong. You can take a walk, ride a bike, or play catch with a friend. Just remember the simple rule in the law. Have fun, and be kind to others.
- torch たいまつ、トーチ
- stadium 競技場、スタジアム
- national holiday 国民の祝日
- physical education 体育
- ceremony 式、儀式
- respect 尊重する、大切にする
- relay リレー
- tug of war 綱引き
- festival 祭り、祭典
- compete 競う
- host （大会などを）主催する、開く
- delay 遅らせる、延期する