Amérique du Nord 2016, LV1
Do you think that professional sports have changed the way sport is considered? (250 words)
Quel type de texte est attendu ?
Quels thèmes doit-on aborder dans l'essai ?
Quelle phrase souligne que le sport était jadis un moyen de fédérer plutôt que de diviser ?
Quelle phrase permet de faire le lien entre le passé et le présent ?
Pour quelle raison principale le sport peut-il être détourné de son but qui est le jeu ?
Over the last decades, sport has taken an unprecedented way.
Indeed, what used to be an activity practiced among friends has turned into a huge business with its pros and cons. Many eons ago, the Olympic Games used to celebrate sport as a way to unite the different Greek cities of the time. During several weeks, athletes would compete against each other in order to show to the other nations that they were stronger, but at the same time, peace would reign. There would be no battle. Although the Olympic Games were abandoned for several centuries, they were born from their ashes last century. The Games were a symbol of harmony between peoples, of sport prowess and achievements. They were before anything else a symbol of self-challenge. But times have changed. Sports are not anymore only about athletic achievement, they are about money. Competitions are usually sponsored by international corporations (companies, banks, insurances, etc.). Matches are being paid for the latter. And it has led to many problematic situations. Some players receive bribes: in return for money, they are ready to willingly lose a match. Other players, whatever the sport, take drugs to artificially enhance their sport performance. They do not even think about the side-effects of dope. Besides, there is also the question of the players' salary. They are extremely indecent to some people, to others they are a just reward for their talent and work.
Although sport should unite peoples, it is likely to divide us over the coming years.