Exercise 3: Challenges and Achievements in Context
Complete the text with the words in the box. Use each word ONLY ONCE.
attempted – believe in – exceeded expectations – hurdles – lifelong ambition – motivation – persevered – pushing myself – pursue – setback
Running is my passion, and it was my to one day participate in the Olympic Games. I believe my came from my cousin, Peter, who was also a long-distance runner, as he, too, was determined to take his running to a professional level. Unfortunately, a car accident left him paralysed and unable to fulfil his goal. Nevertheless, he made the most of a terrible situation and is now one of the country’s most successful coaches.
Of course, I would never have been able to this dream without the support of my parents. They taught me to myself and certainly showed their dedication by driving me to training sessions throughout my youth. I also had a great coach who made me realise that unless I kept , I would never achieve my goal. By the time I was 18, I was already a state champion and had been accepted to participate in the Olympics the following year. Unfortunately, I experienced a major just weeks before the games when I fell and broke my kneecap, which left me unable to train for nearly a year.
Eleven months later, my bandages came off, and I to start running again. I was very slow at first, and in excruciating pain, but my coach wouldn’t let me give up. So, I , and by the time the games came around three years later, I was more than ready to race; in fact, I was even faster than I had been before my accident. And though I had never thought it would be possible, I and came away with a gold medal around my neck, proud of what I had achieved and the I had overcome.