A Sporting Chance?

From August to September 2016, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Athletes from over 200 nations will take part. Sport emphasises 'fair play' and equality, but there are big differences in incomes and life chances between countries, as well as among people within the same country. This resource uses the Olympic Games to engage learners critically with this question: Is the world a fair place? Pupils consider what factors might affect a country's chances of winning a medal or participating in an Olympic sport, such as the resources and training facilities. They think about how rules make sports fairer and find out more about Rio de Janeiro, the host city of the 2016 Olympics, where inequality is a huge problem. With separate sessions in Maths, Geography, PE and English, these resources for 9-14 year olds can be used in both a subject-specific and cross-curricular way. Creative teaching ideas for other areas across the curriculum are also available.