VOA标准英语2008年-Peace is Winner in Athletic Competition

The Olympic Games have always brought international athletes together in peace for friendly – if fierce – competition. But two American sports researchers say the same spirit exists on a local sports field. Athletic¹ competition, they've learned, is a great way to promote peace. Mike Osborne tells us more.
　
Ashleigh Huffman played on her university's women's basketball team

Sarah Hillyer and Ashleigh Huffman are working toward their doctorates² in sports sociology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Both were struck early on in their research by athletic competition's ability to break down barriers.
　
Sarah Hillyer has been involved in sports since she was a young girl

Huffman participated in a sports camp held in Israel a few years ago. She recalls being surprised at how quickly four of the girls bonded³ in spite of their cultural, religious and political differences. She says the two Israeli Jewish girls, the Arab Christian⁴ girl and the Palestinian Muslim girl remain in close touch. "[They] have had their parents drive them to Jerusalem to meet. You just would never think that that would happen. And so I think it was really just the essence of the camp… that's what it was all about."

Building on their research, Hillyer and Huffman launched Sport 4 Peace. The organization provides opportunities for girls and women from various backgrounds to engage in friendly competition. The program focuses on female athletes living in countries where women face difficulties participating in sports.

Softball hits a home run in Iran

Hillyer just returned from her eighth visit to Iran, where she spent a month teaching softball. Her first trip was in 2002, and prior to that time, she says, softball had never been played in the country. "So this last time I was there was extremely rewarding because over the last six years the women have really embraced the sport and improved. So much so that they've expanded and have started 15 different teams in 15 different cities throughout Iran."
　
The Isfahan team received two large duffle bags of equipment from Sport 4 Peace

Softball is a relatively⁵ recent American invention and began as an indoor version of baseball. Hillyer and Huffman videotaped a game played in Iran, and it looks for all the world like the softball games played on summer days in small towns all across the United States.

But Hillyer says there are some important differences. "As soon as we step outside and we go to maybe a practice soccer field where we would be in the view of men, then we have to wear a scarf and long sleeves."

Differences disappear on the field
　
The Iranian players would be at home on a softball team anywhere in the world

Getting past those cultural, religious and political differences is exactly what Sport 4 Peace is designed to accomplish, Hillyer says. "When it comes down to it, both the women in America and the women in Iran understand that those problems are our governments' problems. … Sports provides a tremendous opportunity for American women and Iranian women to meet as people and to share ideas and beliefs and hope and empowerment through sport."
　
Hillyer poses with the Isfahan team's catcher, who now has some protection behind home plate

Hillyer and Huffman have been impressed with the dedication⁶ of the Iranian athletes. On this last trip, the pair delivered donated protective gear to a catcher who'd been playing without it for years. Hillyer recalls her saying that she'd never had a mask or a chest protector or shin guards, and because of that she'd had a broken nose and a few black eyes and several split lips. "Then finally she just broke loose and hugged me for two or three minutes because she was so incredibly grateful that she finally had something to protect her face and protect her body that would allow her to continue to play a sport that she absolutely loves and she would love to represent her country some day."

That young Iranian catcher just might get her chance. Softball is a medal sport at this year's Olympic Games in Beijing. Competitions are also held annually⁷ under the oversight⁸ of the 117-nation International Softball Federation⁹. And women in other sports can look forward to playing on the global field – this summer, Sport 4 Peace is helping¹⁰ rebuild the Iraqi women's national basketball team program.

 

1 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。

2 doctorates   

n.博士学位( doctorate的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Nearly 1,000 specialized personnel with doctorates have settled in Shenzhen. 现已引进博士学位的专门人才近千名。 来自互联网
• John played the field academically, obtaining doctorates from several universities. 约翰的学术广博，他从几所大学拿到了博士学位。 来自互联网

3 bonded   

n.有担保的，保税的，粘合的

参考例句：

• The whisky was taken to bonded warehouses at Port Dundee.威士忌酒已送到邓迪港的保稅仓库。
• This adhesive must be applied to both surfaces which are to be bonded together.要粘接的两个面都必须涂上这种黏合剂。

4 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

5 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

6 dedication   

n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞

参考例句：

• We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。
• Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。

7 annually   

adv.一年一次，每年

参考例句：

• Many migratory birds visit this lake annually.许多候鸟每年到这个湖上作短期逗留。
• They celebrate their wedding anniversary annually.他们每年庆祝一番结婚纪念日。

8 oversight   

n.勘漏，失察，疏忽

参考例句：

• I consider this a gross oversight on your part.我把这件事看作是你的一大疏忽。
• Your essay was not marked through an oversight on my part.由于我的疏忽你的文章没有打分。

9 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。

10 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。