2006年VOA标准英语-Security Inconveniences, But No Major Prob

By Brian Padden
Turin, Italy
20 February 2006
 
watch Security report

At the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy there have been no real security problems.  But officials there say they remain on a high level of alert, and so far these Olympics have been virtually incident free.

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Security patrols are a frequent sight at the Winter Games   
  

Over 9,000 police officers have been brought into both the city of Turin and the mountain venues¹ from all over Italy to oversee² security for the Olympics games.  The cost for the additional police is nearly $110 million.  In addition, military and intelligence forces are working -- mostly behind the scenes. 

So far, there have been few problems at the Winter Games, but Roberto Massucci, with the Olympics' National Information Center in Turin, says their forces remain at the ready. "We have not an alarm situation but the level of security is the most important one in Italy." Because of recent Islamic protests over controversial cartoons, increased security measures are in effect for athletes from Denmark. 

The only incidents that occurred so far happened during the torch relay.  These were Italian protesters from groups, such as the "No TAV" movement.  This group is opposed to the development of a high-speed train line through nearby mountains, which they say are full of asbestos and uranium.  "No TAV's" Doriana Tassotti says they have been banned from protesting near the Olympics, or even on the streets of Turin.

"We can't do anything.  We tried to protest in Turin but of course they kept us away from the Olympic sites,” she said.

Mr. Massucci says strong public support for the Olympics and condemnation³ for the protesters did more to stop these demonstrations⁴ more than police restrictions⁵.

"Police was (were) in an excellent way helped by the people.  They really stopped all the possibilities to make something or to disturb the travel of the torch."

The Italian Army also has an important role at the Olympics in Turin  
  
Some visitors to the games have been annoyed by the restrictions. Some Slovak fans are upset that they cannot get closer to the Olympic flame to take pictures.  And Marty McCabe, from the U.S., does not like the long distances between ticketing booths and stadium entrances. "I mean it's a pain in the a--.  You (have) got to walk a mile to get around here."

But Jami Huttunen, from Finland, is reassured⁶ by the security measures.  "I'm happy because they check all the things and it's good."

For most here the inconveniences are a small price to pay for safety. 

1 venues   

n.聚集地点( venue的名词复数 )；会场；（尤指）体育比赛场所；犯罪地点

参考例句：

• The band will be playing at 20 different venues on their UK tour. 这个乐队在英国巡回演出期间将在20个不同的地点演出。
• Farmers market corner, 800 meters long, 60 meters wide livestock trading venues. 农牧市场东北角，有长800米，宽60米的牲畜交易场地。 来自互联网

2 oversee   

vt.监督，管理

参考例句：

• Soldiers oversee the food handouts.士兵们看管着救济食品。
• Use a surveyor or architect to oversee and inspect the different stages of the work.请一位房产检视员或建筑师来监督并检查不同阶段的工作。

3 condemnation   

n.谴责; 定罪

参考例句：

• There was widespread condemnation of the invasion. 那次侵略遭到了人们普遍的谴责。
• The jury's condemnation was a shock to the suspect. 陪审团宣告有罪使嫌疑犯大为震惊。

4 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

5 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

6 reassured   

adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词)

参考例句：

• The captain's confidence during the storm reassured the passengers. 在风暴中船长的信念使旅客们恢复了信心。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• The doctor reassured the old lady. 医生叫那位老妇人放心。 来自《简明英汉词典》