VOA标准英语2015--Special Olympics Athletes Meet International Friends

Special Olympics Athletes Meet International Friends

LOS ANGELES—

The Special Olympics are under way in Los Angeles, California, with athletes from 165 countries taking part in an event that gives people with intellectual disabilities the chance to participate in an international competition.  For athletes and their families, it's also an opportunity to make new friends in an international setting.

6,500 athletes are competing in 25 sports, and many competitors are at the top their game.  An athlete's mother from Ireland is impressed.

“I can only say it's a privilege to be here. They're amazing games. They're going really well. Things are really good," she said.

Another mother, Hane Dindinno from Papua New Guinea says her nation's six Special Olympics athletes are thrilled to be here.

“A new place, new experience, new challenges.  And very good," said Dindinno.

The Special Olympics offer exposure to new cultures - and entertainment.  

A team member from Iran drums out a tune¹ on the face of a bass² fiddle³ while a Mexican musician strums the instrument.

Also, athletes receive medical screening, including physical therapy, through the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program.

Dr. Levi Harrison, medical director for Healthy Athletes LA 2015, says volunteer doctors, dentists, optometrists⁴ and others provide the care.

“Getting them glasses, shoes, eye care, proper hearing aids.  It's all about getting them the stepping stone to greater self-empowerment," said Harrison.

Competitions take place at venues⁵ around Los Angeles, including the University of Southern California.  Taiwan team coach Yunda Xie says his athletes are competing under the name Chinese Taipei in sports that include bocce, badminton and basketball.

He says he and his athletes are honored to be involved with the Special Olympics.  

The games will continue through Sunday, as the athletes show their competitive skills and make new friends from other countries. 

1 tune   

n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整

参考例句：

• He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子，并在钢琴上弹给我们听。
• The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。

2 bass   

n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴

参考例句：

• He answered my question in a surprisingly deep bass.他用一种低得出奇的声音回答我的问题。
• The bass was to give a concert in the park.那位男低音歌唱家将在公园中举行音乐会。

3 fiddle   

n.小提琴；vi.拉提琴；不停拨弄，乱动

参考例句：

• She plays the fiddle well.她小提琴拉得好。
• Don't fiddle with the typewriter.不要摆弄那架打字机了。

4 optometrists   

n.验光师，视力测定者( optometrist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• It's been proven by the greatest optometrists. 这可是最伟大的配镜师验证肯定了的。 来自辞典例句
• Don't worry, Miss. We have qualified optometrists here an eye test now. 这个好些，我想把镜片也换上，可惜没有带视力记录来。 来自互联网

5 venues   

n.聚集地点( venue的名词复数 )；会场；（尤指）体育比赛场所；犯罪地点

参考例句：

• The band will be playing at 20 different venues on their UK tour. 这个乐队在英国巡回演出期间将在20个不同的地点演出。
• Farmers market corner, 800 meters long, 60 meters wide livestock trading venues. 农牧市场东北角，有长800米，宽60米的牲畜交易场地。 来自互联网