2. Reading. Task 1. Text 2: World record - Why do athletes keep breaking them?

  

Over 30 world records were broken during the London 2012 Summer Olympics. They fell in swimming, cycling, running, weightlifting and a number of other sports. But how do athletes continue
(1) to be better and faster than someone elseto get better, jump longer, run or swim fasteras medicine improvesthat more and more people have access to sportsas the fast runnerthat athletes can train harderscientists say that? Although scientists say that athletes have reached their limits, records continue to fall.

One reason is (2) as the fast runnerscientists say thatto get better, jump longer, run or swim fasteras medicine improvesto be better and faster than someone elsethat more and more people have access to sportsthat athletes can train harder and exercise. They start at an earlier age and can compete longer in their sport. In schools more and more natural talents are discovered. Another reason is (3) as the fast runnerto get better, jump longer, run or swim fasteras medicine improvesthat athletes can train harderto be better and faster than someone elsethat more and more people have access to sportsscientists say that and, as professionals, concentrate wholly on their sport instead of rushing to a training session after their day job. Now, (4) to be better and faster than someone elsescientists say thatto get better, jump longer, run or swim fasteras the fast runneras medicine improvesthat athletes can train harderthat more and more people have access to sports, athletes can stay in competition for a longer time and overcome injuries faster. Technology has also helped improve scores. Through video analysis, for example, coaches can concentrate on fine-tuning an athlete’s technique. Material and equipment is constantly getting better. One of the most important factors, however, is the human mind. It lies in our nature to compete,
(5) to get better, jump longer, run or swim fasterthat athletes can train harderto be better and faster than someone elsescientists say thatas the fast runnerthat more and more people have access to sportsas medicine improves. The will to break a barrier can release immense power in one’s body.

 

So, where are the limits? Some decades ago, nobody thought a person could ever run under 10 seconds in the 100 meter dash. But the record was broken at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. At the moment Usain Bolt is the fastest man on Earth at 9.58 seconds, and (6) to get better, jump longer, run or swim fasterto be better and faster than someone elsethat more and more people have access to sportsas the fast runnerscientists say thatthat athletes can train harderas medicine improves 9.48 may be the absolute limit for running such a distance, but, who knows, maybe some runner will one day run under 9 seconds.