Claudia Poll: A Living Legend
In Costa Rica, Claudia Poll Ahrens is not only a living legend, but also the sportswoman of
the century. This twenty-seven year-old who learned to swim twenty years ago, has
earned three world records as well as several medals in the Olympics. Her fame and
accomplishments aren‘t limited to the small country of Costa Rica or even to Central
America, since she appears in known sports magazines and programs as one of the
world‘s best swimmers.
Who is Claudia Poll Ahrens the person? She was born in Managua Nicaragua on
December 21, 1972, but she acquired her Costa Rican citizenship on september 23, 1993
because of her long residence in the country. Poll started her swimming lessons in Cariari
(Alajuela) at the age of seven, and since then there has been no stopping her. She trains
for hours each day, starting before dawn, and even after achieving world records and
medals, she strives to improve her technique. Her long time trainer, Francisco Rivas, has
been responsible in large part for her success. Rivas also trained Claudia‘s sister, Sylvia
Poll, who was an impressive swimmer that obtained Costa Rica‘s first medal in the
Olympics. Claudia Poll possesses an amazonic figure, being 1.91 meters tall (6.37 feet)
and weighing 71 kilos. Apart from being blessed with an impressive body, a perfect
technique and an unyielding discipline, Claudia obtained a degree in Business
Administration and is currently working in the Administrative Department of the Cariari
Swimming Association.Claudia Poll would like to keep combining her two careers Business Administration and Sports in the future, and although she‘s received numerous
job offers, she‘s taking her time to consider them.
Vocabulary:
To swim = To move through water by means of the limbs, fins, or tail
Records = The known history of performance, activities, or achievement
Medals = A flat piece of metal stamped with a design or an inscription commemorating an
event or a person, often given as an award
To train = To prepare physically, as with a regimen
To improve = To raise to a more desirable or more excellent quality or condition, to better
Achievement = Something accomplished successfully, especially by means of exertion,
skill, practice, or perseverance
Career = A chosen pursuit; a profession or occupation
Lets Practice:
1. Where is Claudia from?
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2. Where was Claudia born?
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3. Who is Claudia Poll?
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4. How long does she train?
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5. Where and at what age did Claudia start her swimming lessons?
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6. How tall is Claudia Poll?
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More information: http://infocostarica.com/?=404;http://www.infocostarica.com:80/people/claudia.html&reqp=1&reqr=nzcdYaOvLKWkYz5jYaOy
