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British sporting greats

Study note

Britain has produced many record-breaking athletes. Sir Roger Bannister made history as the first person ever to run a mile in under four minutes, achieving this in 1954. Sir Steve Redgrave is one of the country's greatest Olympians, winning rowing gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games.

Sir Mo Farah, who was born in Somalia and came to the UK as a child, won distance-running gold medals, taking the 5,000 and 10,000 metres titles at the 2012 Olympics. To keep the facts clear, remember Bannister for the first sub-four-minute mile and Redgrave for rowing gold at five Olympic Games in a row.

Memory tip: Bannister = first sub-4-minute mile; Redgrave = rowing gold at five Olympics.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 2

Sir Roger Bannister was the first person to do what?

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Show all questions and answers for British sporting greats(2 questions with explanations)

British sporting greats: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Sir Roger Bannister was the first person to do what?

    • Win Wimbledon
    • Run a mile in under four minutes
    • Row across the Atlantic
    • Win the Tour de France

    Correct answer: Run a mile in under four minutes

    Sir Roger Bannister was the first to run a mile in under four minutes.

  2. 2. In which sport did Sir Steve Redgrave win gold at five consecutive Olympic Games?

    • Swimming
    • Athletics
    • Rowing
    • Cycling

    Correct answer: Rowing

    Sir Steve Redgrave won rowing gold at five Olympic Games in a row.

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