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France
Exciting sporting facts
The Past
From hands to tennis rackets
The game 'Jeu de paume' was mentioned in France as early
as 1292. It was the precursor of our modern tennis and
was played by two people hitting the ball against a
wall with the palms (= paume) of their hands. The aim
was to play in a way that made it difficult for the
other player to reach the ball. It wasn't until the
mid-15th century that rackets replaced the use of hands
in a widespread manner. In Germany, the game was known
as 'ballhouse game'.
Later, 'Jeu de paume' was played over a rope, but, since
players always argued whether the ball had passed on
top or underneath, the net was introduced.
Even then, the game was enjoyed by men, women and children
alike.
The Incredible
Extraordinary records
Ribbit!
13-year-old Yoann Michelli from France is a 'frog-leaping'
champion. In this jumping exercise, you hold your big
toes with your hands and are not allowed to let go until
after you land. On 2 September, 2000, Yoann jumped a
sensational 76 centimetres in this 'frog style'.
Underwater-Tornado
In Paris on 26 October, 2000, the swimmer Virginie Dedieu
managed a record 22 full turns under water without coming
up for air. In the same year, she and her team also
won a gold medal in synchronised swimming at the Sidney
Olympics.
International sporting events 2004
3. - 25. July: Tour de France
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Things to do
Les Chaises Musicales (Musical Chairs)
What you need:
A tape with music
Chairs - always one fewer chair than players
How to play:
The chairs are arranged back to back in two rows.
One person turns the music on, and the children start
moving around the chairs.
When the music stops, everybody tries to sit on a vacant
chair. The person who doesn't find a chair is out.
One chair is taken away and the game continues until
only one person is left.
Known elsewhere as:
In Germany, the game is called 'The Journey to Jerusalem'.
In Sweden, it is known as 'Hela Havet Stormar', which
means: 'The sea is raging'. In Britain, the game is
called 'Musical Chairs'.
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