新西兰英语 340 Commonwealth Games in India

　　In October, the 14th Commonwealth¹ Games will be held in Delhi, India. This event is similar to the Olympic Games and the Asian Games but smaller, as it is only for teams from the Commonwealth of Nations countries (originally the British Empire). It is held every four years.
The first Commonwealth Games, then called the British Empire Games, was held in Canada in 1930. Although in those days women were allowed to participate only in the swimming events, now all events are open to both men and women. New Zealand has hosted three Commonwealth Games, the last in Auckland in 1990, but Australia usually wins the most medals.
Many people are worried about the possibility of a terrorist² attack at the Delhi games, so the Indian government is going to provide 10,000 police and security³ staff to protect the athletes and the public at that time. However the New Zealand team officials are still waiting to decide whether it is safe enough for the team to take part. New Zealand has a good chance of winning medals in many events, including athletics⁴, netball, rugby and shooting, so the athletes will be very disappointed if they cannot compete this year.
Contributed by Chris Mahoney
Listen also to Sports teams going to India.
For background to the Commonwealth, listen to Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet
Questions for Discussion⁵
1. What are the benefits for small countries like New Zealand of sending teams to the Commonwealth Games? Are there any disadvantages?
2. Do you think that governments should spend money on supporting our best athletes and sports people to become excellent so they can compete in international events like Commonwealth and Olympic Games? Why/why not?
3. Some people believe the Indian government should spend its money on food and improving living conditions for Indian people rather than on building lots of new stadiums and other buildings for the Games this year. What do you think?

1 commonwealth   

n.共和国，联邦，共同体

参考例句：

• He is the chairman of the commonwealth of artists.他是艺术家协会的主席。
• Most of the members of the Commonwealth are nonwhite.英联邦的许多成员国不是白人国家。

2 terrorist   

n.恐怖主义者，恐怖分子

参考例句：

• Without the gun,I'm a sitting duck for any terrorist.没有这支枪，我就成了恐怖分子下手的目标了。
• The district was put on red alert during a terrorist's bomb scare.这个地区在得到恐怖分子炸弹恐吓后作了应急准备。

3 security   

n.安全，安全感；防护措施；保证(金)，抵押(品)；债券，证券

参考例句：

• A security guard brought him down with a flying tackle.一名保安人员飞身把他抱倒。
• There was tight security at the airport when the President's plane landed.总统的专机降落时，机场的保安措施很严密。

4 athletics   

n.运动，体育，田径运动

参考例句：

• When I was at school I was always hopeless at athletics.我上学的时候体育十分糟糕。
• Our team tied with theirs in athletics.在田径比赛中，我们队与他们队旗鼓相当。

5 discussion   

n.讨论，谈论；论述

参考例句：

• It is certain he will come to the discussion.他肯定会来参加讨论。
• After months of discussion,a peace agreement is gradually taking shape.经过几个月的商讨，和平协议渐渐有了眉目。