Lesson #201

A sweltering marathon and empty seats mar track and field championships

The world's top track and field athletes battled the sweltering heat of Doha, Qatar, at the 2019 championships. The marathon started at midnight so runners wouldn't have to contend with the sun; even so, four in ten runners couldn't finish the race and the winning time was the slowest ever. Inside the air-conditioned stadium, the temperature was better, but the atmosphere was depressing: many winners took their victory laps in front of friends and family and thousands of empty seats. Plus, learn the English phrase "come under fire."