平昌奥运会希望避免里约奥运会的错误

AS IT IS 2016-08-24 Pyeongchang Olympics Hopes to Avoid Rio Mistakes 平昌奥运会希望避免里约奥运会的错误

In Olympic sports, attention is now turning to the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

South Korean organizers say they hope to avoid the delays and other problems organizers faced in Rio de Janiero. In 1988, South Korea hosted the Summer Olympic Games in Seoul.

A slowing economy and budget shortfalls caused delays in some projects in Rio. Others were left unfinished. Organizers in the Brazilian city were criticized for the delays. They prevented complete testing of some Olympic buildings and structures before the games started.

Australian officials complained of bad housing conditions after its athletes arrived. They said the housing was “not habitable.” The Australian team stayed in a hotel while the problems were fixed¹.

Some Chinese athletes in Rio posted pictures on social media of broken bathroom facilities.

Organizers of the Pyeongchang Olympics say they learned some important lessons from the problems in Rio. They have promised to complete all Olympic buildings and infrastructure² improvements in time to fix unexpected issues.

Yeo Hyung-koo is Secretary General of the Pyeongchang Organizing Committee. “We are making an effort to ensure the Pyeongchang Olympics will be progressive and successful by having learned from Rio as a reference,” he said.

The committee estimates the Pyeongchang Olympics will cost $12 billion. This is much higher than the $4-$6 billion spent in Rio. But it is far less than the $50 billion spent on the 2014 Sochi Winter Games in Russia.

Earlier this month, the president of the Pyeongchang committee, Lee Hee-beom, said all preparations were “fully on track” for the games. “We will work hard for success at the Games in 2018.” Lee made the comments during a meeting of the International Olympic Committee in Rio.

South Korean officials have said all 12 Olympic venues⁴ are expected to be completed by September 2017. Organizers plan to hold test events before the games to identify and correct any problems.

One of the most expensive projects will be building a high-speed railway linking the Pyeongchang mountain area to Seoul. The train is expected to be finished by June 2017. It will reduce the travel time of the 120-kilometer trip from four hours to one.

South Korea’s central government is paying for infrastructure improvements, as well as 75 percent of the costs for sports facilities. The local government in Gangwon province will pay the remaining 25 percent.

Organizers have also said that 90 percent of South Korea’s Olympic sponsorship goal of $760 million will be met by the end of this year.

Some local residents have complained that the games will result in higher taxes and increased housing prices.

Officials, however, have pointed⁵ out that the area will benefit from the new sports venues for many years to come. They say plans have already been made to use 10 of the 12 Olympic buildings after the games. The facilities will be used for professional and amateur⁶ sports, education, cultural events and exhibitions, officials said.

Words in This Story

habitable – adj. in good enough condition to live in

bathroom – n. a room with a bath or shower, sink and a toilet

infrastructure – n. basic systems used to serve society, such as transportation and communication

progressive – adj. happening or developing steadily⁷

venue³ – n. a place to hold sports, music or other special events

sponsorship – n. an agreement between organizations to jointly⁸ provide money to support something

benefit – v. to be useful or helpful

amateur –adj.

1 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

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 venue   

n.犯罪地点，审判地，管辖地，发生地点，集合地点

参考例句：

• The hall provided a venue for weddings and other functions.大厅给婚礼和其他社会活动提供了场所。
• The chosen venue caused great controversy among the people.人们就审判地点的问题产生了极大的争议。

4 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

5 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

6 amateur   

adj.业余的，非专业的；n.业余爱好者

参考例句：

• He made an amateur attempt to build a cupboard.他很外行地试做了一个碗柜。
• Although Tom's only an amateur he's a first-class player.虽然汤姆只是个业余爱好者，但却是一流的高手。

7 steadily   

adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地

参考例句：

• The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
• Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。

8 jointly   

ad.联合地，共同地

参考例句：

• Tenants are jointly and severally liable for payment of the rent. 租金由承租人共同且分别承担。
• She owns the house jointly with her husband. 她和丈夫共同拥有这所房子。