On To The Olympics!

1. This American swimmer won eight medals, six of which were gold, at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. He hopes to repeat the feat for Beijing 2008. Who is he?

Michael Phelps

Larsen Jensen

Peter Vanderkaay

Ryan Lochte

Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps is the correct answer because he is an American swimmer who won eight medals, six of which were gold, at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. He is also mentioned as hoping to repeat this feat for the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

Explanation

Michael Phelps is the correct answer because he is an American swimmer who won eight medals, six of which were gold, at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. He is also mentioned as hoping to repeat this feat for the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

2. That’s definitely a big number. It’s still as impressive when you split them all up into their respective sports. How many sports in the 2008 Summer Olympics will see American competitors?

5

12

27

15

In the 2008 Summer Olympics, there were American competitors in 27 different sports. This means that the United States had representatives participating in a wide range of athletic events, showcasing their skills and abilities across various disciplines. It highlights the diverse and widespread presence of American athletes in the Olympic Games that year.

Explanation

In the 2008 Summer Olympics, there were American competitors in 27 different sports. This means that the United States had representatives participating in a wide range of athletic events, showcasing their skills and abilities across various disciplines. It highlights the diverse and widespread presence of American athletes in the Olympic Games that year.

3. Dara Torres is just one of an impressive array of American athletes proving that age is just a number when it comes to the Olympics. John Dane III will be the oldest American competitor at the Beijing Olympics at what age?

40

39

58

43

John Dane III will be the oldest American competitor at the Beijing Olympics at the age of 58. This means that despite his age, he is still able to compete at the highest level of athletic competition, proving that age is not a barrier for success in the Olympics.

Explanation

John Dane III will be the oldest American competitor at the Beijing Olympics at the age of 58. This means that despite his age, he is still able to compete at the highest level of athletic competition, proving that age is not a barrier for success in the Olympics.

4.

This NBA star was supposed to have surgery for a finger he injured in February 2008, but decided to postpone it so that he could help the American team get basketball gold. Talk about dedication to your sport!

Kobe Bryant

Jason Kidd

Carmelo Anthony

LeBron James

Kobe Bryant is the correct answer because he showed dedication to his sport by postponing his surgery to help the American team get basketball gold. Despite having an injured finger, he prioritized representing his country and contributing to the team's success. This decision reflects his commitment and passion for the sport of basketball.

Explanation

Kobe Bryant is the correct answer because he showed dedication to his sport by postponing his surgery to help the American team get basketball gold. Despite having an injured finger, he prioritized representing his country and contributing to the team's success. This decision reflects his commitment and passion for the sport of basketball.

5.

With Chinese competition like Liu Xiang on the loose, the American track and field team has to perform at its very best. Which American runner, best known for his invalidated record-breaking 9.68-second 100-meter sprint, is poised to be a major medal threat?

Tyson Gay

Walter Dix

Darvis Patton

Shawn Crawford

Tyson Gay is the best-known American runner mentioned in the question and is also known for his invalidated record-breaking 9.68-second 100-meter sprint. This suggests that he has the potential to be a major medal threat in track and field competitions. The mention of Chinese competition like Liu Xiang implies that the American team needs to be at their very best, further emphasizing Tyson Gay's significance as a potential medal contender.

Explanation

Tyson Gay is the best-known American runner mentioned in the question and is also known for his invalidated record-breaking 9.68-second 100-meter sprint. This suggests that he has the potential to be a major medal threat in track and field competitions. The mention of Chinese competition like Liu Xiang implies that the American team needs to be at their very best, further emphasizing Tyson Gay's significance as a potential medal contender.

6.

Everyone knows that when the U.S. gets into something, it doesn’t just participate; it participates. In fact, the U.S. is known as one of the countries with the biggest delegations in any international event. How many competitors is the country sending to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing?

102

596

93

1018

The correct answer is 596. The passage states that the U.S. is known for sending one of the largest delegations to international events. Therefore, it can be inferred that the U.S. would send a significant number of competitors to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Among the given options, 596 is the closest to representing a large delegation.

Explanation

The correct answer is 596. The passage states that the U.S. is known for sending one of the largest delegations to international events. Therefore, it can be inferred that the U.S. would send a significant number of competitors to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Among the given options, 596 is the closest to representing a large delegation.

7. A number of amazing stories have been found in the American Olympic delegation, particularly about families and siblings getting into the act. The three Lopez siblings, all world titlists, will be participating in what sport?

US Taekwondo Olympic Team

Archery

Taekwondo

Track and Field

Swimming

The correct answer is Taekwondo. The passage mentions that the three Lopez siblings, who are all world titlists, will be participating in a sport. Since the passage does not mention any other sport specifically, we can infer that the sport they will be participating in is Taekwondo.

Explanation

The correct answer is Taekwondo. The passage mentions that the three Lopez siblings, who are all world titlists, will be participating in a sport. Since the passage does not mention any other sport specifically, we can infer that the sport they will be participating in is Taekwondo.

8. Swimming is turning out to be a big thing for the U.S. in the 2008 Olympics. Besides Michael Phelps as a serious medal threat, the spotlight shines on yet another swimmer. At 41, she will be one of the oldest competitors in the American delegation. It will be her fifth Olympics – a first for American swimming.

Dara Torres and Tessa

Katie Hoff

Kate Ziegler

Dara Torres

Natalie Coughlin

Dara Torres is mentioned as being 41 years old and competing in her fifth Olympics, which is a first for American swimming. This suggests that she is an experienced and successful swimmer, making her a serious medal threat. Therefore, Dara Torres is the correct answer.

Explanation

Dara Torres is mentioned as being 41 years old and competing in her fifth Olympics, which is a first for American swimming. This suggests that she is an experienced and successful swimmer, making her a serious medal threat. Therefore, Dara Torres is the correct answer.

9. One of the reasons why the U.S. sends so many athletes is that it competes in so many sports. For 2008, however, the American team qualified for just 27 sports out of a possible 28. Which sport was the elusive 28th?

Handball

Water Polo

Equestrian

Volleyball

The correct answer is Handball. The question states that the American team qualified for 27 sports out of a possible 28 for the 2008 Olympics. This implies that there was one sport in which they did not qualify. Among the options provided, Handball is the sport that was not qualified for by the American team.

Explanation

The correct answer is Handball. The question states that the American team qualified for 27 sports out of a possible 28 for the 2008 Olympics. This implies that there was one sport in which they did not qualify. Among the options provided, Handball is the sport that was not qualified for by the American team.