VOA慢速英语--Ethiopian Olympian Living in Exile in US to Return Home

 

After winning the silver medal in the men’s marathon event at the 2016 Olympic Games, Ethiopian Feyisa Lilesa went to the United States. He has lived in exile there for the last two years. Now, he has decided¹ to return home.

Feyisa decided to go back to Ethiopia after two athletics³ organizations told him he would be welcomed as a hero when he arrived.

Ashebir Woldegiorgis, the president of the Ethiopian Olympic Committee, told VOA that the call for Feyisa’s return is meant to better the country.

“He can teach his exemplary ways to other athletes and teach strength to our youngsters,” Ashebir said.

A sign of protest

Feyisa made international news at the Rio de Janeiro games when he crossed his arms above his head after finishing the race. The move was a sign of support for anti-government protesters in Ethiopia. Feyisa made the same sign when he received his silver medal at the 2016 summer games.

At the time, Ethiopia was moving towards declaring emergency rule. Violent demonstrations⁴ were spreading across the Oromia area of Ethiopia. Ethnic⁵ Oromos were protesting oppression and other human rights violations⁶.

After the games, Ethiopia’s information minister at the time, Getachew Reda, congratulated Feyisa. He also guaranteed the athlete that it was safe to come home.

But, Feyisa used a special-skill visa to go to the U.S. instead. He settled in Flagstaff, Arizona. Six months later his wife, son and daughter joined him.

Taking a stand

While living in Arizona, Feyisa continued to publicly discuss the human rights situation in Ethiopia. He also continued training.

“There were times when things were happening, and I wrote things from my inner thoughts, not because I have skills, but [because] people take my message and share it,” Feyisa told VOA.

“But I am an athlete, and I am not that appealing. But when I write what I feel and people share, I am happy with it,” he added.

Haile Gebrselassie is a retired⁷ Ethiopian runner and winner of two Olympic gold medals who now serves with the Ethiopian Athletic² Federation⁸. He told VOA that the decision to invite Feyisa back was connected to the athlete’s willingness to take a stand.

“He was born fearless. I knew him personally, and I was close to him. And he questions why people should be oppressed. He stands up for his people.”

Ashebir Woldegiorgis expressed similar praise. He said Feyisa raised his voice at great personal risk.

“I like heroes,” Ashebir said. “I respect people who stand up and speak up.”

Rebuilding relationships

Ethiopia has reached out to several other exiled citizens.

Since the state of emergency was lifted in June, the government has removed several groups from its list of terrorist organizations. A delegation⁹ of Oromo Liberation Front members even visited the capital, Addis Ababa, Tuesday. Last week, the group agreed to end hostilities¹⁰ with the government.

Feyisa says he will continue to train in running when he returns to Ethiopia. Along with that, he said, “I just want to share my gratitude¹¹. I would like to thank our citizens who sacrificed their lives … all of the young people and the elders who participated in the struggle.”

I'm Phil Dierking.

Words in This Story

athlete - n. a person who is trained in or good at sports, games, or exercises that require physical skill and strength?

exemplary - adj. extremely good and deserving to be admired and copied?

gratitude - n. a feeling of appreciation¹² or thanks?

elder - n. of greater age?

participate - v. to take part in an activity or event with others

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 athletic   

adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的

参考例句：

• This area has been marked off for athletic practice.这块地方被划出来供体育训练之用。
• He is an athletic star.他是一个运动明星。

3 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。

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 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

6 violations   

违反( violation的名词复数 )； 冒犯； 违反（行为、事例）； 强奸

参考例句：

• This is one of the commonest traffic violations. 这是常见的违反交通规则之例。
• These violations of the code must cease forthwith. 这些违犯法规的行为必须立即停止。

7 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

8 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。

9 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

10 hostilities   

n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事

参考例句：

• Mexico called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. 墨西哥要求立即停止敌对行动。
• All the old hostilities resurfaced when they met again. 他们再次碰面时，过去的种种敌意又都冒了出来。

11 gratitude   

adj.感激，感谢

参考例句：

• I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
• She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。

12 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。