NOTE: Today’s Daily News Article is a human interest story. Human interest stories differ from the regular news – they are sometimes referred to as “the story behind the story.”

The major news articles of the day tell of important happenings. Human interest stories tell of how those happenings have impacted the people or places around the story.

1. a) How many countries have only one athlete competing in the 2014 Winter Olympic games?
b) List the countries.

2. How many countries have athletes competing in the Winter Olympics for the first time ever?

3. How many athletes do we have competing from the U.S.?

4. a) In what sport will Hong Kong's Pan To Barton Lui compete?
b) When did he take up the sport?

5. In what sport will Nepal's Dachhiri Sherpa compete?

6. a) How did Mr. Sherpa do the two previous times he competed in the Winter Olympics?
b) How does Mr. Sherpa think he will do this time? (What did he say?)
c) Knowing that he will not do well, why does Mr. Sherpa compete?

7. The Olympic Games are for amateur athletes. Do you think it is OK for an athlete to compete for his/her country if he no longer lives in that country? Explain your answer.

8.  How does this article inspire you?

9. Mr. Sherpa said, “At 44, this will be my last Olympics. I need to find the next young talent. The problem is that most people in Nepal can’t watch international TV, so very few people will see the race. Plus, there is no place to ski in Nepal.”
a) Does this information change your opinion of Mr. Sherpa's participation in the Winter Olympics? Explain your answer.
b) What are some ways these challenges could be addressed?