UPSC Prelims 2009 Q127: Current Affairs – Other Sports & Personalities
Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched ?
- (a) Barbora Spotakova : Javelin throw
- (b) Pamela Jelimo : Weightlifting
- (c) Sanya Richards : Sprint
- (d) Yelena Isinbayeva : Pole Vault
Answer: (b) Pamela Jelimo : Weightlifting
Explanation
Athlete-sport pairs: finding the mismatch
Four notable international athletes are matched here to their sports, with one pairing mismatched.
| Pair | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Barbora Spotakova : Javelin throw | Correctly matched | Spotakova is indeed a renowned javelin thrower |
| (b) Pamela Jelimo : Weightlifting | NOT correctly matched | Pamela Jelimo is actually a renowned 800m runner (track athlete), not a weightlifter |
| (c) Sanya Richards : Sprint | Correctly matched | Sanya Richards is indeed a renowned sprinter |
| (d) Yelena Isinbayeva : Pole Vault | Correctly matched | Isinbayeva is indeed a renowned pole vaulter |
Correct athlete-sport pairs:
| Athlete | Actual sport |
|---|---|
| Barbora Spotakova | Javelin throw |
| Pamela Jelimo | 800m running (track), NOT weightlifting |
| Sanya Richards | Sprint |
| Yelena Isinbayeva | Pole Vault |
Answer: (b) Pamela Jelimo : Weightlifting.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Spotakova : Javelin throw is correctly matched, so it's not the answer to this mismatch question.
- (b) CORRECT. Pamela Jelimo is actually an 800m runner, NOT a weightlifter, making this pairing incorrect.
- (c) Incorrect. Sanya Richards : Sprint is correctly matched.
- (d) Incorrect. Isinbayeva : Pole Vault is correctly matched.
Key point
Pamela Jelimo is actually a renowned 800m track runner, NOT a weightlifter — making 'Pamela Jelimo : Weightlifting' the incorrectly matched pair among these four.
Remember
'Pamela Jelimo : Weightlifting' is the incorrectly matched pair — Jelimo is actually an 800m runner.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Pamela Jelimo's actual track-and-field (800m) discipline with an unrelated sport like weightlifting.
- Assuming all four listed athlete-sport pairs are automatically correct without individual verification.
- Mixing up different international female athletes' specific disciplines.
Exam tip
Pamela Jelimo = 800m runner, NOT weightlifter. The other three pairs (Spotakova-javelin, Richards-sprint, Isinbayeva-pole vault) are all correctly matched.
Sources
- International Association of Athletics Federations — Athletes: Pamela Jelimo (800 metres, 2008)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Pamela Jelimo