Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What sports do you think women enjoy playing, and why?
- Why do you think some people believe that women’s sports should receive more attention and support?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- influence /IN-floo-uhns/
- brand /brand/
- appeal /uh-PEEL/
- consumer /kuhn-SOO-mer/
- commit /kuh-MIT/
[verb] – to affect or change how someone or something develops, behaves, or thinks
The teacher’s encouragement influenced her decision to pursue a career in science.
[noun] – the name of a product produced or sold by a particular company
Many people trust this brand for its quality and reliability.
[noun] – the quality of being attractive or interesting, drawing positive attention or interest from others
The colorful design of the new product adds to its appeal for young customers.
[noun] – a person who buys goods or services for their own use
The company conducted a survey to better understand consumer preferences and needs.
[verb] – to engage or involve oneself
The team captain urged all members to commit to regular practice for the upcoming competition.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The 2024 Paris Olympics aim to make history with equal representation of male and female athletes, a milestone achieved through persistent efforts by the International Olympic Committee for medal parity. This decision, influenced by the success of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, reflects the global rise in women’s sports’ popularity. Despite positive trends, a recent survey by Sports Innovation Lab reveals that only 9% of sports media and sponsorship funds from Fortune 500 brands support women’s sports. However, there’s optimism, as 83% plan to increase investments in female sports in 2024, particularly for the Olympics, showcasing a growing recognition of the potential and appeal of women’s sports for audiences and corporate entities.
After the 2023 Women’s World Cup success, major brands like Adidas and Nike quickly met market demands by releasing replica jerseys worn in the final. Nike, in particular, responded to fan input by creating a replica England goalkeeper’s jersey for Mary Earps, illustrating brands’ attentiveness to consumer sentiments. In the evolving sports landscape, experts, including Conrad Wiacek from GlobalData, highlight cost-effective opportunities for brands to engage with female audiences through partnerships in women’s sports. Looking ahead to the 2024 Olympics, Olympic sponsor Visa has committed the highest percentage of women athletes to their “Team Visa” program, demonstrating a dedication to diversity. Athletes such as Valarie Allman underline the significance of authentic connections between athletes and brands, indicating promising developments in sports sponsorship for 2024.
After the 2023 Women’s World Cup success, major brands like Adidas and Nike quickly met market demands by releasing replica jerseys worn in the final. Nike, in particular, responded to fan input by creating a replica England goalkeeper’s jersey for Mary Earps, illustrating brands’ attentiveness to consumer sentiments. In the evolving sports landscape, experts, including Conrad Wiacek from GlobalData, highlight cost-effective opportunities for brands to engage with female audiences through partnerships in women’s sports. Looking ahead to the 2024 Olympics, Olympic sponsor Visa has committed the highest percentage of women athletes to their “Team Visa” program, demonstrating a dedication to diversity. Athletes such as Valarie Allman underline the significance of authentic connections between athletes and brands, indicating promising developments in sports sponsorship for 2024.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What is the goal for the representation of male and female athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics?
- How was the decision for equal representation influenced, according to the article?
- What does the recent survey by Sports Innovation Lab reveal about Fortune 500 brands and their support for women’s sports?
- Why is there optimism mentioned in the article, and what is the focus of the planned increase in investments in female sports in 2024?
- Looking ahead to the 2024 Olympics, what has Olympic sponsor Visa committed to, and what does it demonstrate regarding diversity?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever noticed a disparity in the coverage or sponsorship of men’s and women’s sports? If yes, can you share an example or personal observation? If not, do you think it’s important to address such disparities in sports media and sponsorship?
- Considering the growing recognition of the potential and appeal of women’s sports, do you believe this will lead to positive changes in how female athletes are portrayed and supported in the future? If yes, what changes would you like to see? If not, what challenges do you think may still persist?
- Do you believe that equal representation of male and female athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics is an important goal?
- How might the media’s portrayal and sponsorship of women’s sports impact the perception and opportunities for female athletes, based on the information provided in the article?
- Considering the commitment by Olympic sponsor Visa to include the highest percentage of women athletes in their “Team Visa” program, what potential benefits and challenges can arise from such initiatives in promoting diversity in sports?