印度草根帮助选手实现奥运梦

 　　印度草根帮助选手实现奥运梦

　　LUCKNOW, INDIA — Despite having one of the world’s largest economies, India spends less than one percent of its budget on sports. Indians who aspire¹ to compete on a global level often say they do not have the support they need to do so. One grassroot foundation is trying to make a difference, one athlete at a time.

　　The love of sports

　　Every day, before and after school, Julie Yadav can be found on a field in the northern city of Lucknow, training for her next race. “There isn’t a proper track or enough space. Despite that, my coach helps me practice as much as I can," she said. "Allowing me to compete at the state level.”

　　The 15-year-old competed and won a silver medal in the 400-meter race in Uttar Pradesh - India’s impoverished² and most populous³ state with more than 200 million people.

　　She credits the Sparsh Sports Development Foundation with giving her the financial support and training needed to take her love for running to the next level.

　　Ajeet Verma, a World Cup cross country silver medalist, started the Lucknow-based foundation in 2010. He uses part of his income as a railway worker to foster youngsters who show potential in everything from track and field to volleyball.

　　“The only sport that is being promoted in India is cricket. There is no marketing⁴ or management for athletes taking part in other sports," Verma stated. "This is necessary. Without this type of support, athletes have to worry about getting a job to support themselves.”

　　This lack of support is reflected in the fact that India has only won a total of 26 medals in all Olympic Games. Compare that to neighboring China, with over 500 medals - 88 in last year’s London Olympics alone. Analysts⁵ say unlike other countries, India lacks the financial and institutional support, infrastructure⁶ and a culture that fosters athletic⁷ talent at a young age.

　　Coach Manjeet Singh said the lack of funding for sports at the grassroots level can be seen in the absence of athletic facilities and even basic equipment like mats, hurdles⁸ and medicine balls.

　　Preparing for greatness

　　Singh, who coaches at a local school, spends his free time volunteering with the foundation to give youngsters the opportunity he said he never had as a track and field athlete. “When I was at my peak, athletically⁹, there was no coach to help me. I used to do all the repetitions myself, there was no one to guide me,” he recalled.

　　He now spends his afternoons guiding athletes like Yadav, who has big dreams for her future. “I want to compete in the Olympics, that is my one hope and for that I need support,” she explained.

　　For now, Sparsh, which means "touch" in Hindi, tries to fill in the gap, hoping that the government and Indian society as a whole will recognize the importance of the country’s excellence¹⁰ in a sport other than cricket.

1 aspire   

vi.(to，after)渴望，追求，有志于

参考例句：

• Living together with you is what I aspire toward in my life.和你一起生活是我一生最大的愿望。
• I aspire to be an innovator not a follower.我迫切希望能变成个开创者而不是跟随者。

2 impoverished   

adj.穷困的，无力的，用尽了的v.使（某人）贫穷( impoverish的过去式和过去分词 )；使（某物）贫瘠或恶化

参考例句：

• the impoverished areas of the city 这个城市的贫民区
• They were impoverished by a prolonged spell of unemployment. 他们因长期失业而一贫如洗。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 populous   

adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的

参考例句：

• London is the most populous area of Britain.伦敦是英国人口最稠密的地区。
• China is the most populous developing country in the world.中国是世界上人口最多的发展中国家。

4 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

5 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

6 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

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 hurdles   

n.障碍( hurdle的名词复数 )；跳栏；（供人或马跳跃的）栏架；跨栏赛

参考例句：

• In starting a new company, many hurdles must be crossed. 刚开办一个公司时，必须克服许多障碍。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• There are several hurdles to be got over in this project. 在这项工程中有一些困难要克服。 来自辞典例句

9 athletically   

adv.竞赛地，运动比赛地，具运动员风范地

参考例句：

• Tall, athletically built, but with a slight, shy stoop to his shoulders. 高个子，运动员身材，但有点轻微的水蛇腰。 来自互联网
• She does not hate sports on TV, she is athletically biased. 她不讨厌体育频道，只是对运动有些偏见。 来自互联网

10 excellence   

n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德

参考例句：

• His art has reached a high degree of excellence.他的艺术已达到炉火纯青的地步。
• My performance is far below excellence.我的表演离优秀还差得远呢。