The history of swimming - 6 Minute English

Swimming has many health benefits and since ancient times has been used to promote strength and wellbeing. But swimming’s not just about exercise – there’s far more to it beneath the surface as we’ll be finding out in this programme on the history of swimming. Neil and Georgina talk about the topic and teach you related vocabulary along the way. This week’s question Someone who did enjoy swimming was the poet, Lord Byron. He wrote poems popularising the sport and in 1810 swam the Hellespont, a stretch of water separating Europe from Asia. But in which modern country can the Hellespont be found? a) Greece b) Cyprus c) Turkey Listen to the programme to find out the answer. Vocabulary take a dip go for a swim (informal) swim against the tide to not follow what everyone else is doing immodest shocking or embarrassing because it shows too much of the body nude not wearing any clothes, naked play hooky stay away from school without permission frowned upon disapproved of To download the audio and a