A tiny bee has forced Australian superstar swimmer Mack Horton into the slow lane ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
The Olympic champion arrived at a pre-Games staging camp in Brisbane with a protective* sleeve on his right arm after being stung by a bee in training last Thursday.
“I got stung by a bee the other day in training and my whole arm has blown up,” Horton said.
“My tricep* doesn’t exist anymore, my elbow doesn’t exist anymore.”
While he hasn’t been officially tested, Horton assumes his reaction means he could be allergic* to the insects.
His training plan, which has been mildly interrupted by the swollen arm, now also includes checking the area for buzzing bees.
“I put my arm up on the edge (of the pool) during the main set sucking in oxygen and it’s gone bang!” he said of the bee sting.
“I assume (I’m allergic) now. I haven’t been tested but this pretty much says yes.
“And because I don’t have my glasses on (while I’m training), I’m really cautious* now and looking out everywhere just in case.”
Horton will compete in three individual events at the Games — the 200m, 400m and 1500m freestyle.
Horton said he is relaxed heading into next week’s Games after staying in Melbourne and avoiding a lot of the excitement building on the Gold Coast.
“I am probably a bit more relaxed (ahead of Games than usual),” he said. “I am lucky that I live in Melbourne so I miss all the hype* up here in Queensland so I can just go about my thing.”
And Horton is pumped to be swimming at the Games hosted in Australia.
“I don’t mind the pressure (of a home Games),” he said.
“I think where people get unstuck is when they try to fight it. You just have to enjoy it and embrace it.”
The Commonwealth Games start on April 4 on the Gold Coast.
COLLECT YOUR PINS
Look out for your official Commonwealth Games Pin Collection featuring Borobi the surfing koala in your newspaper from April 4 and ask mum and dad if you can start collecting.
GLOSSARY
protective: something that protects
tricep: muscle at the back of your arm
allergic: having an allergy to something
cautious: being careful to avoid dangers
hype: intense publicity or promotion
LISTEN TO TODAY’S STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Bee Careful!
Read the Kids News story on Mack Horton’s Commonwealth Games preparation, then put the article out of sight and insert the list words below into the correct sentence.
List words: Gold, mildly, slow, blown, bee, allergic, hype, embrace, April, cautious
– A tiny ________ has forced Australian superstar swimmer Mack Horton into the __________ lane ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
– my whole arm has ________ up.
– Horton assumes his reaction means he could be ___________ to the insects.
– His training plan, which has been __________ interrupted by the swollen arm
– I’m really _______________ now and looking out everywhere just in case.
– I am lucky that I live in Melbourne so I miss all the _______ up here in Queensland
– You just have to enjoy it and ____________ it.
– The Commonwealth Games start on ________ 4 on the ________ Coast.
Extension: Make a list of other potential hazards that the Commonwealth Games athletes need to look out for.
Time: Allow 15 minutes
Curriculum links: English
2. Borobi
Work with a partner and research the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games mascot, Borobi. Write a fact file on all the information you can find out about it.
Extension: What are some other symptoms you might see or feel if you are allergic to something?
Time: Allow 30 minutes
Curriculum links: English, Digital Technologies, Intercultural
VCOP ACTIVITY
After reading the article, with a partner, highlight as many connectives as you can find in pink. Discuss if these are being used as conjunctions, or to join ideas and create flow.
IN ONE SENTENCE, TELL US WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT TODAY’S STORY
Please do not use one-word answers. Explain what you enjoyed or found interesting about today’s article. Use lots of adjectives.
