VOA标准英语2015--特奥会周六开幕

Special Olympics Set to Open Saturday 特奥会周六开幕

LOS ANGELES—

More than 6,000 athletes from 165 countries have gathered in Los Angeles for the Special Olympics, a competition for people with intellectual disabilities.

The Special Olympics torch, called the Flame of Hope, is nearing the end of its journey of thousands of kilometers.

The torch procession is part of a fundraising effort for the Special Olympics movement by law enforcement agencies.

Saturday's opening ceremony for the games will be held at the opening site of the 1984 Summer Olympics, the Los Angeles Coliseum, where Olympic gold medalist Rafer Johnson lit the flame 31 years ago.

Johnson, who has been involved with the Special Olympics since its beginning, said sports competition teaches important lessons.

“I think in the long run, what we learn in sports helps us to be better athletes, but it also be life lessons taught that are going to help us, in a sense, be the best we can be in other places other than on the field of competition,” Johnson said.

The Special Olympics World Summer Games are held every four years in a different city. The last games were held in Athens. The competition features 25 sports, from aquatics¹ to track.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of President John F. Kennedy, started the Special Olympics in 1968, and the movement has grown in influence. Today, it involves more than 4 million athletes worldwide.

Organizers have high hopes for the games in Los Angeles. Patrick McClenahan, president of the Special Olympics World Summer Games Los Angeles 2015, said Los Angeles "has incredible² facilities. The diversity in Los Angeles is a great asset³, and the ability to engage the media and the entertainment community” is a plus as well.

Special Olympics athlete Debi Anderson said the athletes have a message to send: "They will show the world what they can do instead of can't do.”

The opening ceremony will feature first lady Michelle Obama, and singer Stevie Wonder will headline a long list of entertainers. The show will be directed by actress and choreographer⁴ Debbie Allen, who said Special Olympians inspire her.

“It's so amazing to watch them do what they do," Allen said. "And when you hang out with them, spend a little time with them, and realize what they've been through and what they're doing, you understand that the issues you're having in your little life are not a a problem.”

Organizers say the Special Olympics emphasize achievement, acceptance and inclusion.

The games will run through August 2.

1 aquatics   

n.水生植物，水生动物( aquatic的名词复数 )；水上运动

参考例句：

• Pasturage breed aquatics basically has pig, ox, sheep and fowl. 畜牧养殖主要有猪、牛、羊和家禽。 来自互联网
• So in English they are National Stadium and National Aquatics Center. 这两处场馆的正式名字叫做”国家体育场”和”国家游泳中心“。 来自互联网

2 incredible   

adj.难以置信的，不可信的，极好的，大量的

参考例句：

• Some planets run at incredible speed.某些星球以难以置信的速度运行着。
• Her answer showed the most incredible stupidity.她的回答显示出不可思议的愚蠢。

3 asset   

n.有价值的资源，优点，长处；财产，资产

参考例句：

• Ability to get along with people is an asset in business.在商业界善跟别人相处是可贵的优点。
• Intelligence was her main asset.智力是她的主要财富。

4 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