VOA文化艺术2024--Athletes Have High Hopes for Paris Olympics, Cultural Activities

Paris is a popular place for visitors because of its food, art, and history. The city itself is likely to be central to the experience of the Olympic Games.

The athletes going to France have been making long lists of things they want to try, see and eat.

"I'm excited to just explore and just take in everything Paris has to offer, because me and my friends, we look at things and we get inspired," said breaker Jeffrey Louis, also known as b-boy Jeffro.

He added, "There's a lot of things that we want to try and just explore."

Some athletes want to ride to the top of Gustave Eiffel's creation¹ from the 1880s, the Eiffel Tower, maybe even dine² at its restaurant. The Louvre Museum, with Leonardo da Vinci's painting, the Mona Lisa, the famous Venus de Milo statue, and many other objects are high on many lists of things to see.

Notre Dame³ Cathedral also is popular although repair work after a 2019 fire will not be completed until after the Summer Games.

"Such a big city. A beautiful city," diver Andrew Capobianco said.

Athletes are also excited to try the food and drinks.

"Eat as many crepes as you can if you're in Paris," track and field Paralympian Noelle Malkamaki said.

"Looking forward to macaroons, pastries⁴, bread," sitting volleyball Paralympian Nicky Nieves said.

Others are excited about coffee, meats, and sweet desserts such as crème brûlée. And some hope to drink the wines - from the Loire Valley, Bordeaux or Champagne⁵.

There are those, such as breaker Sunny Choi or rower Michelle Sechser, who know they will need to wait to enjoy some of the food and drink.

"We do have weight-class restrictions⁶; we have to weigh in two hours before a race," Sechser said. "So, after racing's done, I'm most excited to get out and explore the Parisian food and really enjoy some French meals."

Canoe⁷ and kayak star Evy Leibfarth, the first American woman to qualify⁸ in three whitewater boating events at an Olympics, looks at the situation differently.

She makes sure to fill herself with foods that help with athletic⁹ performance. But she also does not want to deny herself too much.

"If I'm going to be thinking about my croissant the whole time I'm paddling, I may as well just eat it, you know? So, it's all about balance," said Leibfarth, a 20-year-old from North Carolina. "It's just making sure that I'm getting the right amount of protein and the right amount of carbs before a race, while also balancing in the things that I want to eat."

As she looked forward to her fifth trip to Paris, Leibfarth offered some words to Olympians headed for the first time to the City of Light - which is another name for Paris.

"Don't be afraid to just drop the recommendations¹⁰ and everything and just walk around and find things to do because that's the best I've done."

Words in This Story

inspired - adj. very clever or good; to be or become outstanding

breaker - n. someone who breakdances

crepe - n. a small thin pancake

macaroon - n. a kind of cookie made of egg, sugar, and almonds or coconut¹¹

canoe -n. a light narrow boat with two sharp ends

kayak - n. a light narrow boat often has a closed top except for an opening in which the paddler sits

croissant - n. a flaky, rich roll that comes in the shape of a crescent

1 creation   

n.创造，创造的作品，产物，宇宙，天地万物

参考例句：

• Language is the most important mental creation of man.语言是人类头脑最重要的产物。
• The creation of new playgrounds will benefit the local children.新游戏场的建立将有益于当地的儿童。

2 dine   

vi.吃饭，进餐；vt.宴请

参考例句：

• I wish I could afford to dine off fresh meat every day.我要是能天天吃到新鲜的肉就好了。
• Let's dine out tonight，I'm too tired to cook.我太累了，不想做饭，今晚咱们到外面吃吧。

3 dame   

n.女士

参考例句：

• The dame tell of her experience as a wife and mother.这位年长妇女讲了她作妻子和母亲的经验。
• If you stick around,you'll have to marry that dame.如果再逗留多一会，你就要跟那个夫人结婚。

4 pastries   

n.面粉制的糕点

参考例句：

• He gave a dry laugh, then sat down and started on the pastries. 杜新箨说着干笑一声，坐下去就吃点心。 来自子夜部分
• Mike: So many! I like Xijiang raisins, beef jerky, and local pastries. 麦克：太多了。我最喜欢吃新疆葡萄干、牛肉干和风味点心。

5 champagne   

n.香槟酒；微黄色

参考例句：

• There were two glasses of champagne on the tray.托盘里有两杯香槟酒。
• They sat there swilling champagne.他们坐在那里大喝香槟酒。

6 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

7 canoe   

n.独木舟；vi.乘独木舟，划独木舟

参考例句：

• They slid the canoe down to the water.他们使小舟滑到水中。
• It is only the second time he has been in a canoe.这仅是他第二次乘小游艇。

8 qualify   

vt.取得资格，有资格，限定，描述；vi.取得资格，有资格

参考例句：

• I won't qualify until next year.我明年才具备资格。
• You must qualify yourself for the post.你必须使自己具备担任这一工作的资格。

9 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。

10 recommendations   

n.推荐( recommendation的名词复数 )；推荐信；正式建议；提议

参考例句：

• The board completely disregarded my recommendations. 董事会完全无视我的建议。
• Recommendations from two previous clients helped to establish her credibility. 两位以前的客户的推荐有助于确立她的诚信度。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 coconut   

n.椰子

参考例句：

• The husk of this coconut is particularly strong.椰子的外壳很明显非常坚固。
• The falling coconut gave him a terrific bang on the head.那只掉下的椰子砰地击中他的脑袋。