2006年VOA标准英语-Cheerleaders Drawing Attention at Turin Ol

By Steve Schy
Turin
22 February 2006

One of the most talked about innovations at the Turin Olympics has been the introduction of cheerleaders. They have provoked strong reaction from the fans, some it of it good, and some of it critical. But as VOA's Steve Schy reports, like them or not, they are definitely getting noticed.

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Cheerleaders entertain fans during break in action at 2006 Winter Olympics women's ice hockey match  
  

The official Olympic cheerleaders are a lot different than what you would see on the sidelines at basketball or American-style football games. Cheerleader choreographer¹ Paola Bosio says about 500 girls tried out to become Olympic cheerleaders.

"At the end we chose 100 girls," Bosio explained. "We have six groups, three working in ice hockey, two at speed skating and one in the mountains. So this is the first time that there is cheerleading in the Olympic Games, and we thought it was a good way to entertain the spectators."

After being selected for the squad², the newly-minted cheerleaders practiced for four-and-one-half months. But during that time, about all they learned how to do was wave their orange and gold pom-poms, dance a few synchronized³ steps, and jump up and down to whatever music might be playing at the venue⁴.

  
  
But fans disagree on whether the cheerleaders are entertaining or just an irritating distraction⁵. After all, they do not actually cheer and they do not wear skimpy uniforms. The all-girl squad, which ranges in age from 15 to 26, is attired⁶ in bright orange and gold uniforms that cover them almost from shoulder to toe.

Jacopo Divonzo lives in Turin and says he enjoyed the cheerleaders performing at a hockey game.

"I think they made [did] a good job, they had no problem and I liked looking at them. It was a nice thing for me, yeah," he said.

Besides not cheering for any particular team at an event, the focus of the routines is different. It is not the loud and spirited gymnastic performance one might see at college and high school events in the United States, but is more dance-oriented.

Cheerleader Camilla of Turin is 20 years old and has studied dance since she was 10. Her background includes classical dance and ballet as well as modern dance and pop. This is her first time as a cheerleader and she says she is enjoying the new experience.

"There are no cheerleaders in Italy. We are the first. I like it very much," she said. "It is so [much] fun in front of a lot of people. It is a great experience. All the people are very happy, they like [it] very much."

  
  
Some fans expressed the opinion that the pom-pom waving and dancing was distracting because it took the focus off the athletic⁷ event they had come to see. But Kathy Moine of Los Angeles, California had a different interpretation⁸, as well as an interesting theory about the cheerleader's costumes.

"I think that they are just supposed to be neutral and they are supposed to be the Olympic torches," she said. "Not for any country but just supporting everybody, happy to be in the Olympics."

If by definition, cheerleaders should cheer for one side and make a lot of noise, then the Olympic squad still has a lot to learn. But if they are just here to look good and liven up the atmosphere during time-outs, many would agree they have been a complete success.

1 choreographer   

n.编舞者

参考例句：

• She is a leading professional belly dancer, choreographer, and teacher. 她既是杰出的专业肚皮舞演员，也是舞蹈设计者和老师。 来自辞典例句
• It'stands aside, my choreographer of grace, and blesses each finger and toe. 它站在一旁，我优雅的舞蹈指导，并祝福每个指尖与脚尖。 来自互联网

2 squad   

n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组

参考例句：

• The squad leader ordered the men to mark time.班长命令战士们原地踏步。
• A squad is the smallest unit in an army.班是军队的最小构成单位。

3 synchronized   

同步的

参考例句：

• Do not use the synchronized keyword in Managed Objects. 不要在管理对象上使用synchronized关键字。 来自互联网
• The timing of the gun was precisely synchronized with the turning of the plane's propeller. 风门的调速与飞机螺旋桨的转动精确同步。 来自辞典例句

4 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。

5 distraction   

n.精神涣散，精神不集中，消遣，娱乐

参考例句：

• Total concentration is required with no distractions.要全神贯注，不能有丝毫分神。
• Their national distraction is going to the disco.他们的全民消遣就是去蹦迪。

6 attired   

adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The bride was attired in white. 新娘穿一身洁白的礼服。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• It is appropriate that everyone be suitably attired. 人人穿戴得体是恰当的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 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。

8 interpretation   

n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理

参考例句：

• His statement admits of one interpretation only.他的话只有一种解释。
• Analysis and interpretation is a very personal thing.分析与说明是个很主观的事情。