VOA标准英语2008年-International Football Officials Say South Afri

Senior officials of international football (soccer) have been attending the Beijing Olympics, as part of their preparations for the next major international sporting event, the 2010 Football World Cup. The officials assure reporters that host nation South Africa is on schedule to stage the event. VOA's Scott Bobb reports from Beijing.
　
Danny Jordaan tells Scott Bobb the project is on track

The head of the South African Organizing Committee for the Football World Cup, Danny Jordaan, Thursday said his country will be more than ready for the Cup, in two years.

"In terms of overall readiness, as of today the project is on track and we are happy with the project," he said.

Jordaan said all 10 stadiums being built or renovated¹ for the World Cup are to be completed next year, at least six months before the World Cup kicks off in June, 2010.

Organizers are concerned about the rising cost of construction material - a worldwide phenomenon - but Jordaan says plans have been drawn² up to address this challenge.

Officials also addressed concerns about security, saying the South African government has invested nearly $100 million in new equipment. And, the number of policemen is to be increased by more than 10 percent.

Secretary-General Jerome Valcke of the international football federation³ acknowledges that FIFA has a backup plan, should South Africa be unable to host World Cup matches. But he says this is primarily in case of unexpected catastrophes⁴, such as natural disasters.

"For the time being, there is no 'red light' and the World Cup will take place in South Africa," Valcke said. "But we are, as any normal and good company, always adding an alternative, if something is happening."

Jordaan praised China's organization of the Olympic Games. He says the lesson he learned in Beijing was that the most important factor in the success of any major international competition is the conduct of local residents.

"You can have the best stadiums, the best buses," Jordaan noted⁵. "At the end of the day, it is the people because they give content to the experience of the foreigners who come into the country. And, from that standpoint, I say China has done a wonderful job."

Officials say support for the World Cup in South Africa is strong, noting that 20,000 people applied⁶ to be volunteers - more than four times the number needed.

The South African government is spending more than $4 billion upgrading stadiums, transportation and communication networks. An estimated 400,000 foreigners are expected to attend the three-week event.

 

1 renovated   

翻新，修复，整修( renovate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He renovated his house. 他翻修了房子。
• The house has been renovated three years earlier. 这所房子三年前就已翻新。

2 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

3 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

4 catastrophes   

n.灾祸( catastrophe的名词复数 )；灾难；不幸事件；困难

参考例句：

• Two of history's worst natural catastrophes occurred in 1970. 1970年发生了历史上最严重两次自然灾害。 来自辞典例句
• The Swiss deposits contain evidence of such catastrophes. 瑞士的遗址里还有这种灾难的证据。 来自辞典例句

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 applied   

adj.应用的；v.应用，适用

参考例句：

• She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。
• This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。