Uniform Collection Day for Olympic Volunteers

 LONDON, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The volunteers' queue for uniform collection is a long one, winding¹ all the way round the industrial warehouse² in Canning Town, an area in which 68% of locals are of a non-white ethnic³ background.

Numbered tickets are issued, and we are directed into a boxed off area surrounded by photographs of athletes. A soft beep emits from the display across, followed instantaneously by the turning of every single head in the room, ticket holder⁴ 423's uniform is now ready for collection. I take a closer look at the scrap⁵ of flimsy paper I've been handed, number 567. Great.

The atmosphere in the room is relaxed and friendly, people of all backgrounds and ages are politely chatting away. A natter is initiated⁶ with the person I sat next to; number 560 from Essex, a kind faced elderly Brenda. She cheerfully mentions how her grand-daughter is the same age as me and will also be volunteering in the games, along with her own daughter. Olympics for the whole family then.

Brenda's enthusiasm for the games is evident, making me feel slightly uncomfortable that the dominant⁷ thought in my head right now is contemplating⁸ what coloured trainers we will be given. Brenda's excitement however, is infectious, and soon our discussion turns to the opening ceremony and our favourite athletes and events.

Nearly an hour later, Brenda's number is called, she says her farewell and strides towards the door with surprising speed. I just hope I'll have a fraction of her energy and enthusiasm by the time London hosts the Olympics again.

There is a disproportionately long waiting period between ticket number 560 and 567, and an equally enthusiastic young professional Nigerian lady takes Brenda's place next to me. Eventually my ticket number is called and I am beckoned⁹ through the corridors by the ushers¹⁰.

A plethora¹¹ of merchandise greets me, polo shirts, trainers, jackets and even a rather nice wrist watch is offered. The whole fitting and measuring process takes just a fraction of the time spent waiting, and the whole thing is over in an instant.

The final item given to me is an umbrella, fingers crossed this is the only thing I won't be using this summer.

(Barry He is a law student in the University of Southampton. Growing up in London and watching the Beijing Olympics four years ago with his Chinese-born parents, he will be a volunteer at the London Olympics.)

1 winding   

n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈

参考例句：

• A winding lane led down towards the river.一条弯弯曲曲的小路通向河边。
• The winding trail caused us to lose our orientation.迂回曲折的小道使我们迷失了方向。

2 warehouse   

n.仓库；vt.存入仓库

参考例句：

• We freighted the goods to the warehouse by truck.我们用卡车把货物运到仓库。
• The manager wants to clear off the old stocks in the warehouse.经理想把仓库里积压的存货处理掉。

3 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。

4 holder   

n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物

参考例句：

• The holder of the office of chairman is reponsible for arranging meetings.担任主席职位的人负责安排会议。
• That runner is the holder of the world record for the hundred-yard dash.那位运动员是一百码赛跑世界纪录的保持者。

5 scrap   

n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废

参考例句：

• A man comes round regularly collecting scrap.有个男人定时来收废品。
• Sell that car for scrap.把那辆汽车当残品卖了吧。

6 initiated   

n. 创始人 adj. 新加入的 vt. 开始，创始，启蒙，介绍加入

参考例句：

• He has not yet been thoroughly initiated into the mysteries of computers. 他对计算机的奥秘尚未入门。
• The artist initiated the girl into the art world in France. 这个艺术家介绍这个女孩加入巴黎艺术界。

7 dominant   

adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因

参考例句：

• The British were formerly dominant in India.英国人从前统治印度。
• She was a dominant figure in the French film industry.她在法国电影界是个举足轻重的人物。

8 contemplating   

深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想

参考例句：

• You're too young to be contemplating retirement. 你考虑退休还太年轻。
• She stood contemplating the painting. 她站在那儿凝视那幅图画。

9 beckoned   

v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He beckoned to the waiter to bring the bill. 他招手示意服务生把账单送过来。
• The seated figure in the corner beckoned me over. 那个坐在角落里的人向我招手让我过去。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 ushers   

n.引座员( usher的名词复数 )；招待员；门房；助理教员v.引，领，陪同( usher的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Seats clicked, ushers bowed while he looked blandly on. 座位发出啪啦啪啦的声响，领座员朝客人们鞠躬，而他在一边温和殷勤地看着。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
• The minister then offers a brief prayer of dedication, and the ushers return to their seats. 于是牧师又做了一个简短的奉献的祈祷，各招待员也各自回座位。 来自辞典例句

11 plethora   

n.过量，过剩

参考例句：

• Java comes with a plethora of ready-made types.Java配套提供了数量众多的现成类型。
• A plethora of new operators will be allowed to enter the market.大批新的运营商将获准进入该市场。