New Zealand Pair Win Cycling Gold

Share to Google Classroom

New Zealand cyclists Emma Foy and Jessie Hodges won the gold medal in the tandem cycling event at the Commonwealth Games. They raced fifth out of six teams and finished in a fast time of 1 minute 6.367 seconds. Their ride put them nearly half a second ahead of the Australian team, Jessica Gallagher and Jacqueline Mengler-Mohr.

Foy and Hodges rode smoothly from the start and became even faster during the final lap. After setting the fastest time, they had to wait while the English team completed their race. England could not beat their time, and New Zealand celebrated the exciting gold medal victory with cheering fans.

After the race, Foy said the pair knew they needed a clean ride because other teams had already set quick times. She explained that she focused on taking the corners well while Hodges helped guide the tandem bike. Foy, who is visually impaired, laughed that she could not see the scoreboard and had to wait for Hodges to tell her they had won before celebrating.

Foy, 37, has enjoyed a long career in cycling, winning medals at the 2016 Paralympic Games before taking a break from the sport. She returned last year and quickly found success with Hodges, who competed at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021. Together, they have already won medals at the world championships and have now added Commonwealth Games gold to their achievements.

How did this story make you feel?

SMART Prep | Quick Question 214255

Every Thursday after school, Leila volunteers at her local library in Hamilton. She sorts returned books, helps younger children choose stories, and puts posters on the noticeboard. At first, she thought volunteering would mostly be about shelving books, but she has discovered that the most important part is making people feel welcome. Some visitors come in unsure of what to read, so Leila asks questions and guides them to books they might enjoy. The librarian says Leila’s friendly attitude has made the children’s section busier and more inviting. Leila now believes that small actions can help a community feel stronger and more connected.

What is the main idea of the passage?

  

Did You Know?

What special event did Emma Foy and Jessie Hodges win a gold medal in?
Emma Foy and Jessie Hodges won gold in tandem cycling at the Commonwealth Games!

Vocabulary

Click on the words in the article. See if you can find them all.
  • tandem A type of bike designed for two riders. Emma and Jessie rode a tandem bike together.
  • medal A piece of metal awarded for winning a competition. They won a gold medal for their amazing race.
  • visually impaired Having difficulty seeing or being unable to see. Emma is visually impaired but still excels in cycling.
  • Thinking Question

    How do you think teamwork helps athletes succeed in sports?

    Related Articles