奥运冠军：我们不只是“淘金者”

Chinese athletes have shown great competitiveness since the country sent out its delegation¹ to the games in 1984, reaping in gold, silver and bronze. But they have also been criticised for being too narrow sighted, with some saying the only goal for Olympians is medals. And their career ends once they retire. But some Olympic champions say the role of Chinese Olympians is transforming.

Splashing mud. Roaring engine. All part of an off-road driving challenge to cheer on the coming London Olympics. And the drivers? They are all Olympic Champions.

Yang Ling has taken home 2 gold medals in the men’s 10m running target in 2000 and 2004. But his sport was cancelled from the 2008 games on. Yang Ling was forced to turn his back on competition and become a coach. He is now an administrator² in the Beijing Sports Bureau, and a racing³ fanatic⁴.

Winning is in every athlete’s nature, he said, and bringing in medals for the country is still the predominant task.

Yang Ling, Olympic Champion shooter, said, "Who doesn’t want to stand on the highest medal podium? Not just the Chinese. Athletes in any other country would want to hear their national anthem⁵ and see their national flag rising in the medal ceremonies. But nowadays in China, we often tell the younger olympians not only to aim for gold, but also to enjoy this festival of sports."

Wang Yizhi said, "Chinese Athletes have attended 7 Olympic games and have brought back about 400 medals, including 163 gold medals. It’s a dream come true for those who have devoted⁶ most of their energies to the sport. But the medal podium is just a starting point for their life rather than a destination."

One that understands this best is Olympic Champion diver Sang Xue. She struck gold at the young age of 16, BUT soon decided⁷ to leave the sporting world for herself and her family. Retiring at an age of only 20, Sang Xue went to college, but quit after 2 years to pursue a dream she longed for even more -- performing arts.

She said her coach and the team tried to talk her out of the decision, but she stuck to her path. In her opinion, the system does respect personal choices.

Now in the deep-end of showbiz, Sang Xue has seen ups and downs. But she believes that the glory of an Olympic gold medal has brought about opportunities. She has since starred as the leading actress in major tv series. Her diving skill also made it into the spotlight⁸ at times.

Sang Xue, Olmpic Champion dive said, "I think I am demonstrating the Olympic spirit to the people working with me, in my acting⁹ or singing careers. This is not just competive sports, but a way of life -- persistence¹⁰ and devotion. So people will be tolerant and encouraging. They will give me more opportunites and let me pursue my dreams."

Major US publication Time magezine, once put a Chinese Olympian on its cover. An illustration to its feature piece "How China manufactures Olympic champions". This man is Olympic champion gymnast Yang Wei. He won muliple gold medals individually and with his team.

When asked about the western stereotype¹¹ of Chinese athletes being gold winning machines, Yang Wei answered he and many other Olympians are the biggest benefiters from the country’s athletes training system. And the attitudes to the games are changing.

Yang Wei, Olympic Champion gymnast said, "Since my first Olympics in 2000, the concept of the game I was taught has been gradually changing. First it was only about winning gold medals, and then another concept took hold. This is a gathering¹² of the top athletes in various sport from different countries. It’s like a huge party."

With less than 4 days to the big bash of the 2012 Olympics, the champions and the country are both looking forward to a productive and festive¹³ game.

1 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

2 administrator   

n.经营管理者，行政官员

参考例句：

• The role of administrator absorbed much of Ben's energy.行政职务耗掉本很多精力。
• He has proved himself capable as administrator.他表现出管理才能。

3 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。

4 fanatic   

n.狂热者，入迷者；adj.狂热入迷的

参考例句：

• Alexander is a football fanatic.亚历山大是个足球迷。
• I am not a religious fanatic but I am a Christian.我不是宗教狂热分子，但我是基督徒。

5 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

6 devoted   

adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的

参考例句：

• He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

7 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

8 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

9 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

10 persistence   

n.坚持，持续，存留

参考例句：

• The persistence of a cough in his daughter puzzled him.他女儿持续的咳嗽把他难住了。
• He achieved success through dogged persistence.他靠着坚持不懈取得了成功。

11 stereotype   

n.固定的形象，陈规，老套，旧框框

参考例句：

• He's my stereotype of a schoolteacher.他是我心目中的典型教师。
• There's always been a stereotype about successful businessmen.人们对于成功商人一直都有一种固定印象。

12 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

13 festive   

adj.欢宴的，节日的

参考例句：

• It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
• We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。