Take Away English-The Olympics 奥林匹克运动会

London was awarded the right to host the 2012 Olympic Games

After a hard-fought campaign, London has been awarded the right to host the 2012 Olympic Games. The UK capital saw off competition from four rival cities: Paris, Madrid, Moscow and New York.

Londoners can now look forward to the transformation¹ of their city in the same way as their counterparts in Beijing. Indeed, there are many similarities in the two cities’ approach to hosting the games. Both cities need to invest in developing their infrastructure² in order to cope with the demands of the event.

However, this kind of investment is far from cheap - it is estimated that it will cost around $40 billion to prepare for the 2008 games, much of which will be spent on transport links. Nevertheless, the benefits of becoming an Olympic city can be enormous – Barcelona, which hosted the 1992 games, was completely regenerated³ and has since become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Residents of Stratford, in London’s deprived East End, are hoping that their neighbourhood will undergo a similar transformation as it is one of the areas where many new sports facilities will be built. One of the East End’s most famous sons, David Beckham, has given the Olympics his blessing⁴ - “to have the Olympics in our manor⁵ would be a special thing.”

David Beckham is not alone in supporting the successful bid; Manchester United and England defender⁶, Rio Ferdinand, says, “This will be a great boost for the whole of the country. I’m looking forward to being at the 100m final in 2012.”

One thing that will change in the 2012 games is the number of sports. The International Olympic Committee has decided⁷ to axe⁸ baseball and softball from the games. IOC president Jacques Rogge explained, "Needless to say, these sports are very, very disappointed, but it does not disqualify them forever as Olympic sports," he said.

However, one unlikely British sport is attempting to gain Olympic status. “As the newest recognised sport, darts⁹…would be proud to be considered as the host nation's 'invitation sport' in 2012.” says British Darts Organisation¹⁰ chief, Olly Croft.

GLOSSARY11 词汇表
to host 主办 counterparts 对等的，相当的，同行 investment 投资 deprived East End 贫穷落后的东城区 our manor 我们的地区（俚语） to axe 取消，消减 darts 飞镖，一种室内游戏。	saw off 击败了（竞争对手） infrastructure 结构，构造 nevertheless 虽然如此，但是 undergo a similar transformation 重新改造，改头换面 boost 援助，支持 gain Olympic status 取得举办奥林匹克运动会的资格

 

1 transformation   

n.变化；改造；转变

参考例句：

• Going to college brought about a dramatic transformation in her outlook.上大学使她的观念发生了巨大的变化。
• He was struggling to make the transformation from single man to responsible husband.他正在努力使自己由单身汉变为可靠的丈夫。

2 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

3 regenerated   

v.新生，再生( regenerate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• They are regarded as being enveloped in regenerated gneisses. 它们被认为包围在再生的片麻岩之中。 来自辞典例句
• The party soon regenerated under her leadership. 该党在她的领导下很快焕然一新。 来自辞典例句

4 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。

5 manor   

n.庄园，领地

参考例句：

• The builder of the manor house is a direct ancestor of the present owner.建造这幢庄园的人就是它现在主人的一个直系祖先。
• I am not lord of the manor,but its lady.我并非此地的领主，而是这儿的女主人。

6 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。

7 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

8 axe   

n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减

参考例句：

• Be careful with that sharp axe.那把斧子很锋利，你要当心。
• The edge of this axe has turned.这把斧子卷了刃了。

9 darts   

n.掷飞镖游戏；飞镖( dart的名词复数 )；急驰，飞奔v.投掷，投射( dart的第三人称单数 )；向前冲，飞奔

参考例句：

• His darts trophy takes pride of place on the mantelpiece. 他将掷镖奖杯放在壁炉顶上最显著的地方。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I never saw so many darts in a bodice! 我从没见过紧身胸衣上纳了这么多的缝褶！ 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 organisation   

n.组织，安排，团体，有机休

参考例句：

• The method of his organisation work is worth commending.他的组织工作的方法值得称道。
• His application for membership of the organisation was rejected.他想要加入该组织的申请遭到了拒绝。

11 glossary   

n.注释词表；术语汇编

参考例句：

• The text is supplemented by an adequate glossary.正文附有一个详细的词汇表。
• For convenience,we have also provided a glossary in an appendix.为了方便，我们在附录中也提供了术语表。