Two Australians created a defining Olympic moment. Now they are taking different paths
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EN: Use 'but' to connect two sentences that show a contrast or a change in situation.
He likes sports, but he does not like running.
EN: In sports journalism, 'following different paths' is a common idiom used to describe how athletes' careers or lives diverge after a shared experience.
EN: The basic sentence structure 'Subject + is + Noun' is used to describe who or what someone is.
He is a teacher.
EN: In Australia, successful Olympic athletes are often national heroes. Ash Moloney's achievement in the decathlon was particularly significant as it was a first for the country.
EN: The sentence uses the Past Simple tense ('won') to describe a completed action at a specific time in the past ('in 2021').
She won a gold medal in the race yesterday.
EN: The 'Tokyo Games' refers to the 2020 Summer Olympics, which were actually held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This explains why the sentence mentions '2021'.
EN: Using 'with' to describe a feature: We use 'with' after a noun to add more information about its parts or characteristics.
He lives in a house with a big garden.
EN: The decathlon is traditionally considered one of the most grueling Olympic events, as it tests a wide range of athletic abilities over two days.
EN: Possessive nouns with 's: We add 's to a noun to show that something belongs to it or is associated with it.
This is the athlete's medal.
EN: The decathlon is often considered the ultimate test of an athlete, and winning a medal is a significant achievement for any country, especially a first-time win like Australia's in 2021.
EN: The sentence uses the past tense (ran, cheered) to describe actions that happened at a specific time in the past, such as during the 2021 Tokyo Games.
He played soccer yesterday.
EN: This moment refers to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics decathlon, where Cedric Dubler sacrificed his own energy to pace and motivate Ash Moloney to win Australia's first medal in the event. It is celebrated as a peak example of sportsmanship.
EN: The verb 'become' (past tense: 'became') is used to describe a change in state or condition. It is often followed by an adjective to show what someone or something is like after the change.
The weather became very cold.
EN: In Australia, sports are a major part of national identity. When athletes show sportsmanship or achieve success at the Olympics, they often become national heroes overnight.
EN: The phrase 'on a path' is used to describe someone's direction or progress in life or career.
She is on a path to success.
EN: In sports, a 'career path' change often refers to an athlete switching events or retiring to start a new profession due to physical limitations or loss of interest.
EN: Use 'stop + doing' to say that someone no longer does an activity. Use 'because of + noun' to give a reason.
She stopped playing tennis because of a leg injury.
EN: In professional sports, 'injuries' are a common reason for athletes to change events or retire early, as the physical toll of a decathlon is extremely high.
EN: The verb 'feel' is a linking verb used to describe a person's emotions or physical state. When describing how someone feels, we use an adjective (like 'bored') after it.
She felt happy after the race.
EN: In professional sports, 'feeling bored' often refers to mental burnout after many years of repetitive training and high-pressure competition, which is a common reason for athletes to switch events or retire.
EN: The phrase 'change to' is used to describe moving from one state, position, or activity to another.
She changed to a different school last year.
EN: In athletics, athletes often switch events due to injury or to find a new challenge. The 400-metre hurdles is known as one of the most demanding track events, combining speed, endurance, and jumping technique.
EN: The word 'where' is used here to give more information about a place or a situation (in this case, 'a race'). It connects the main idea to a description of what happens in that race.
This is a game where you run fast.
EN: In track and field, 'hurdles' refers to both the physical obstacles and the event itself. Describing them as 'small walls' is a simple way to explain the sport to someone unfamiliar with it.
EN: Using 'just' to emphasize that something is simple or only one thing.
It is just a game.
EN: In sports, athletes often switch events due to injury or burnout. Moloney's shift from decathlon to hurdles is a significant career change that reflects a focus on mental well-being and physical longevity.
EN: Use 'will' followed by the base form of a verb to talk about future actions or events.
She will join the race tomorrow.
EN: The 'Oceania title' refers to a regional championship involving countries in the Oceania region, including Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island nations.
EN: The phrase 'not... anymore' is used to say that a situation has changed and is no longer true.
I do not live in Sydney anymore.
EN: In sports, teammates often share intense emotional moments, but personal relationships can change due to different career pressures or public perception, as seen here after the Tokyo Olympics.
EN: The Past Simple tense is used to describe actions or states that happened and finished in the past. For regular verbs like 'change', we add '-ed' to the end.
The weather changed yesterday.
EN: The Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021 due to the pandemic) was a major turning point for many athletes. In sports, high-pressure moments can either strengthen or strain personal relationships between teammates.
EN: The possessive form ('s) is used to show ownership or relationship. Here, it shows that the 'role' belongs to 'Dubler'.
The teacher's book is on the table.
EN: In Australian sports culture, 'mateship' and supporting a teammate are highly valued. Cedric Dubler's selfless cheering for Ash Moloney was seen as a perfect example of this spirit, though it later caused some tension between the two.
EN: The word 'that' is used here to introduce a 'noun clause,' which acts as the object of the verb 'felt'. It tells us exactly what he felt.
I think that he is a good athlete.
EN: In sports, teammates often share the spotlight. However, this sentence highlights the personal struggle of an athlete who feels their individual contribution is overshadowed by a more famous moment or teammate.
EN: Using 'When' to connect two actions that happen at the same time or one after another.
When the teacher entered the room, the students stood up.
EN: "No comment" is a standard phrase used by public figures when they do not want to answer a question or share their opinion, often to avoid conflict or controversy.
EN: The phrase 'on a path' is used metaphorically to describe a person's life direction, career, or choices, not just a physical road.
She is on a path to success.
EN: In sports, athletes who once trained together often part ways due to injuries or changing interests. This sentence highlights the reality that professional sports careers can change quickly, affecting personal friendships.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
An athletic event taking place over two days, in which each competitor takes part in the same ten events.
The sequence of jobs and roles that a person has over their working life.
A track and field event where athletes run 400 metres while jumping over obstacles.
A phrase used to refuse to answer a question, especially from a journalist.