新西兰英语 391 Paralympics in Christchurch

　　The World Paralympics competition started in Christchurch today. This is a nine-day event and athletes hope they can qualify¹ for the Paralympics held following the Olympic Games in London next year. About 1000 athletes are in Christchurch for this event.
The opening ceremony was held in the centre of the city yesterday. The athletes paraded from the Avon River on Worcester St into the Square, just one block away. They were led by a brass² band and at the end was a Samba band playing drums. They marched in alphabetical³ order, Algeria first and Uzbekistan last, then the host country New Zealand. They looked very colourful in the uniforms of their country. They seemed very proud and excited, carrying their flag and waving to the crowd. Wheelchair athletes were usually in the front of each group. Blind athletes were holding on to their partner. In the Square, there was a Maori Powhiri, (welcome) then the Maori leader sang the New Zealand national anthem⁴ in Maori then in English. After that, there were speeches from the organizers, the Prime Minister, the mayor of Christchurch and others.
For the next nine days, the athletes will be racing⁵ on the track, or competing in field events like long jump, or throwing the discus.
This is a big event for the athletes but also for New Zealand. It is the first Paralympics to be held in New Zealand. Usually it is held in Europe.
Questions
Can you imagine the difficulties for a blind runner? They each have a guide who runs in the lane beside them. They are attached by a tape around the wrists. What kind of person do they need as a guide? What kind of person would volunteer to be a guide for a blind runner?

1 qualify   

vt.取得资格，有资格，限定，描述；vi.取得资格，有资格

参考例句：

• I won't qualify until next year.我明年才具备资格。
• You must qualify yourself for the post.你必须使自己具备担任这一工作的资格。

2 brass   

n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器

参考例句：

• Many of the workers play in the factory's brass band.许多工人都在工厂铜管乐队中演奏。
• Brass is formed by the fusion of copper and zinc.黄铜是通过铜和锌的熔合而成的。

3 alphabetical   

adj.字母（表）的，依字母顺序的

参考例句：

• Please arrange these books in alphabetical order.请把这些书按字母顺序整理一下。
• There is no need to maintain a strict alphabetical sequence.不必保持严格的字顺。

4 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

5 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。