VOA标准英语2008年-Lavish Ceremony to Open Long-Awaited Beijing Ol

The long-awaited and somewhat controversial Beijing Olympics officially open Friday. From the Chinese capital, VOA's Jim Stevenson has this preview of the 29th Olympiad.
　
Chinese wave national flag as they pose for picture during Olympic torch relay ceremony in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, 06 Aug 2008

A lavish¹ opening ceremony and the lighting² of the Olympic cauldron will formally begin the Beijing Games, even though the men's and women's football (soccer) tournaments have already kicked off so that they will conclude just before the end of the Games on August 24.

Controversy³ has followed China since the communist nation was chosen by the International Olympic Committee to host the Games seven years ago. Political issues, pollution and the ability of the media to freely report have all proven contentious⁴ in the years and months leading to the Olympics.

But China is hoping that the criticisms will quickly fade and be replaced by the thrill and spectacle of arguably the greatest sports event in the world. The theme is "One World, One Dream," which calls upon the world to unite in the Olympic spirit.

U.S. women's soccer veteran Kate Markgraf says the athletes are only focused on that spirit.

"The one thing that can not be overshadowed is the Olympic spirit," she noted⁵, "is the great stories coming out of the Olympics, is the heart and desire of teamwork and personal success, overcoming adversity."

About 10,500 athletes will compete in 302 events in 28 sports, just one event more than was on the schedule four years ago in Athens, Greece. The men will compete in 165 events. The women have 127 events, while 10 are mixed events.

China won 32 gold medals in 2004, four fewer than the Americans. To surpass the United States as the top gold-winning country, China's state-run sports schools have been targeting relatively⁶ obscure sports such as shooting, women's weightlifting, rowing, boxing and cycling.

Steve Roush of the U.S. Olympic Committee describes China's ambitious push to dominate this Olympiad.
　
US Olympic Committee's Steve Roush answers reporters' questions in Beijing, 06 Aug 2008

"They went out and targeted sports that totaled 119 medal opportunities back in 2002," he explained. "And they funded them significantly for targets for getting on the (medal) podium in 2008. And 119 medal opportunities in sports where they can get two or three in each."

The mascots⁷ of Beijing 2008 are the five Fuwa, or good luck dolls. The fish, giant panda, fire, Tibetan antelope⁸ and swallow roughly correspond with the five elements of Chinese philosophy, and also bear the colors of the five Olympic rings.

China has 37 overall venues⁹ after building 12 new facilities, renovating¹⁰ 11, and erecting¹¹ eight temporary locations. About 25,000 members of the media from around the world are covering the games.

 

1 lavish   

adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍

参考例句：

• He despised people who were lavish with their praises.他看不起那些阿谀奉承的人。
• The sets and costumes are lavish.布景和服装极尽奢华。

2 lighting   

n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光

参考例句：

• The gas lamp gradually lost ground to electric lighting.煤气灯逐渐为电灯所代替。
• The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.那个餐馆照明柔和而且浪漫。

3 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

4 contentious   

adj.好辩的，善争吵的

参考例句：

• She was really not of the contentious fighting sort.她委实不是好吵好闹的人。
• Since then they have tended to steer clear of contentious issues.从那时起，他们总想方设法避开有争议的问题。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

6 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

7 mascots   

n.吉祥物( mascot的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• One of the mascots was the platypus. 吉祥物一是鸭嘴兽。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Information on all things Olympic, including logos, mascots, venues,and bid candidates. 所有事情奥林匹克，包括的标识语，吉祥物，地点，和出价候选人的信息。 来自互联网

8 antelope   

n.羚羊；羚羊皮

参考例句：

• Choosing the antelope shows that China wants a Green Olympics.选择藏羚羊表示中国需要绿色奥运。
• The tiger was dragging the antelope across the field.老虎拖着羚羊穿过原野。

9 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

10 renovating   

翻新，修复，整修( renovate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The increased production was largely attained by renovating old orchards and vineyards. 通过更新老果园和葡萄园，使生产大大增加。
• Renovating that house will cost you a pretty penny. 为了整修那所房子，你得花很多钱。

11 erecting   

v.使直立，竖起( erect的现在分词 )；建立

参考例句：

• Nations can restrict their foreign trade by erecting barriers to exports as well as imports. 象设置进口壁垒那样，各国可以通过设置出口壁垒来限制对外贸易。 来自辞典例句
• Could you tell me the specific lift-slab procedure for erecting buildings? 能否告之用升板法安装楼房的具体程序？ 来自互联网