高中英语第二册课本朗读17-c

　　THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS

       Every four years, mentally¹ disabled athletes come together to take part in the Special Olympics. Just like the regular Olympic Games, it is surrounded by ceremony and competition is fierce², but there is also a strong sense of unity³ and friendship. Each athlete has had to train for many years and overcome fear and hard ships to reach the games. For many of the Olympic spirit is stronger at the Special Olympics that at the regular one: winning⁴ is not about being the first one across the finish line or scoring the most goals, but it is about being the best you can be.
Athletes at the Special Olympics are fighters in more than one way. Living with a mental disability is perhaps the most difficult challenge⁵ a human being can face in life. The disability makes everyday life difficult and society often fails to treat the mentally disabled with dignity⁶ and respect. For a long time, mental disability was considered shameful⁷ and the mentally disabled received little treatment or encouragement. Fortunately, we have now realized that there is much that can be done to help. The Special Olympics is one example of how society can improve the quality of life for all its citizens.
By preparing for and participating in the Special Olympics, mentally disabled children and adults can develop their ability to move, improve their health and gain greater self-confidence. The Special Olympics is also a good way to make friends. The first Special Olympics was held in Chicago in 1968. One thousand participants⁸ from Canada and the United⁹ States competed in three events. Since then, the Special Olympics has grown. At the 2003 Special Olympics in Ireland¹⁰, more than,6500 athletes from over 150 countries took part and there were 21 different sports. Internet in the Special Olympics has spread across the world and cities are now competing for the honour to host the event. In 2007, the Special Olympics will be held in Shanghai. Chinese athletes, their friends, parents and the audience will be proud to welcome Special Olympians to China.

1 mentally   

adv.精神上，理智上，在心中

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Male nurses are often employed in hospitals for the mentally ill.精神病院常雇用男护士护理精神病人。

2 fierce   

adj.凶猛的，残忍的；狂热的，强烈的

参考例句：

• The soldiers got ready for a fierce battle.战士们准备进行一场恶战。
• What he said met with fierce opposition.他的话语遭到激烈反对。

3 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

4 winning   

adj.获胜的，胜利的；吸引人的，有说服力的

参考例句：

• Team A has no chance of winning.A队没有获胜的可能。
• They have great hopes of winning.他们获胜的希望极大。

5 challenge   

n.挑战；v.向...挑战

参考例句：

• The job doesn't really challenge him.这项工作不能真正地考验他。
• She looked at me with challenge.她带着挑战的目光看着我。

6 dignity   

n.尊严，面子，高贵

参考例句：

• Only a truly free person has human dignity.只有真正自由的人才具有人的尊严。
• He considered the job beneath his dignity.他认为这种工作有失身份。

7 shameful   

adj.可耻的，不道德的

参考例句：

• It is very shameful of him to show off.他向人炫耀自己，真不害臊。
• We must expose this shameful activity to the newspapers.我们一定要向报社揭露这一无耻行径。

8 participants   

参加者，参与者； 参加者，参与者( participant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Participants were categorized according to age. 参加者按年龄分组。
• However, there were two disagreements among some Asian and European participants at the colloquium. 然而，与会的亚洲和欧洲代表在两方面出现意见分歧。

9 united   

adj.和谐的；团结的；联合的，统一的

参考例句：

• The whole nation is closely united.全国人民紧密团结。
• The two men were united by community of interests.共同的利益使两个人结合在一起。

10 Ireland   

n.爱尔兰(西欧国家)；爱尔兰岛(西欧)

参考例句：

• Ireland lies to the west of England.爱尔兰位于英格兰之西。
• Dublin is the capital of Ireland.都柏林是爱尔兰的首都。