Olympic Torch Relay "to showcase" iconic North West

 LONDON, June 19 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic Torch Relay¹ is a "great chance" to show off the North West and celebrate the role that people, places and businesses from the region are playing in London 2012, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Tuesday.

Hunt said: "With the Torch Relay making its lap around the North West, it's a great chance to showcase more of the region's stunning² countryside, iconic attractions and world famous towns and cities. I am sure that locals and tourists alike will turn out in their thousands to welcome the torch and enjoy a carnival³ atmosphere.

"But it's not all about the party - the Olympic Games will leave a serious legacy⁴ too. Old Trafford hosting the football events is expected to bring in around 30 million pounds for the local economy."

The Relay has already been through Chester, Bolton and Liverpool and will on Wednesday enter the North West again before leaving the region on June 24. There will be evening celebrations in Carlisle, Bowness-on-Windermere, Blackpool and Manchester.

The Olympic Flame's route will include 90 communities and a range of iconic attractions and landmarks⁵, passing through the Lake District National Park, travelling on a steamer boat across Windermere, and taking in the Blackpool Tower and the Royal Lytham Golf Club.

The North West has already played a key role in preparing for the Games.

The region has seven Pre-Games training camps confirmed covering teams from 22 different nations from every continent, including the Australian Olympic swimming team, and the American basketball teams, who will both train in Manchester-based facilities.

The North West will also play host to Olympic football, taking place at Old Trafford. Team GB men will play their first match versus⁶ Senegal at Old Trafford on July 26, 2012. Brazil and Spain have also been confirmed to play at Old Trafford.

In total the venue⁷ will host 9 matches over 7 match days including the semifinal for the men's and women's competitions. It is projected that hosting the Olympic football will generate⁸ an economic benefit of around 30 million pounds for Greater Manchester.

1 relay   

n.接力赛，中继转播（设备）；vt.转述，转播

参考例句：

• They will relay your message.他们会转达你的口信。
• This metal tower is used to relay television signals to distant villages.这个金属塔是用于向遥远的村子转播电视讯号的。

2 stunning   

adj.极好的；使人晕倒的

参考例句：

• His plays are distinguished only by their stunning mediocrity.他的戏剧与众不同之处就是平凡得出奇。
• The finished effect was absolutely stunning.完工后的效果非常美。

3 carnival   

n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演

参考例句：

• I got some good shots of the carnival.我有几个狂欢节的精彩镜头。
• Our street puts on a carnival every year.我们街的居民每年举行一次嘉年华会。

4 legacy   

n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西

参考例句：

• They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
• He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。

5 landmarks   

n.陆标( landmark的名词复数 )；目标；（标志重要阶段的）里程碑 ~ (in sth)；有历史意义的建筑物（或遗址）

参考例句：

• The book stands out as one of the notable landmarks in the progress of modern science. 这部著作是现代科学发展史上著名的里程碑之一。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The baby was one of the big landmarks in our relationship. 孩子的出世是我们俩关系中的一个重要转折点。 来自辞典例句

6 versus   

prep.以…为对手，对；与…相比之下

参考例句：

• The big match tonight is England versus Spain.今晚的大赛是英格兰对西班牙。
• The most exciting game was Harvard versus Yale.最富紧张刺激的球赛是哈佛队对耶鲁队。

7 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。

8 generate   

vt.生成，产生（光、热、电等）导致

参考例句：

• We need someone to generate new ideas.我们需要有人出新主意。
• This book will continue to generate excitement for a long time.这本书将在很长一段时间里继续使人们为之激动。