VOA常速英语2007年-Senegalese Female Runner Breaks Down Barriers

By Naomi Schwarz and Kari Barber
Dakar
19 December 2007
 

The west African nation of Senegal is one of the continent's most sports-minded countries. Many athletes join informal football teams, play basketball, lift weights and go running. The vast majority of them, in this Muslim-dominated country, are men. But this is changing, even if slowly, like in many other parts of the world. For VOA, Naomi Schwarz introduces a young woman who is part of the new generation of female athletes.

In fitness¹ crazy Dakar, running in the evening is one of the most popular sports. But although some women participate, they are few and hard to spot among the sea of men's faces.

Paul Ndione, an amateur² footballer and runner, says Senegalese women are too busy with housework. He says, "For example, they clean the house and do the cooking. That is what it means to be a Senegalese woman."

But a male and female track team practicing at a stadium across town tells a different story.

Fatoumata Sakho, a 19-year-old student, is the team's star sprinter³. She says she loves running. "I feel alive when I'm running. If I go a week without doing it, I don't feel right," she says.

She practices with her team five times a week. But when she started running four years ago, she says she had to lie to her father and sneak⁴ to practice.

Her coach, Cheikh Niang, says many men do not approve of their daughters participating in sports. "It is because of the clothing. If you are Muslim and you see women on television running some would say practically naked, in a t-shirt and shorts, that gives a negative image to the sport."

But despite the strong objections of her father, Sakho was determined⁵ to run. In other Muslim countries in Africa and the Middle East, women sometimes have to wear veils⁶ and full-length clothing while taking part in sports. But, still, they are allowed to compete publicly, something that was unheard of in some countries 10 years ago.

Back at home, Sakho still finds time to fulfill⁷ her traditional role, as she helps her mother prepare meals for the family. Her mother says she always supported Sakho's running.

Holding the only photo Sakho has of her father, who died last year, she says she knows he would be proud of her today. "At the end he understood. He started encouraging me sometimes."

For two years, Sakho has been the Senegalese women's champion for the 100 and 400-meters. This year she says she hopes to win international competitions and show women worldwide that, even in the face of social pressure, they can dream and achieve in any field.

1 fitness   

n.适合，适当，健康，健身

参考例句：

• They're doing exercises to improve their fitness.他们为增强体质而做体操。
• No one questions her fitness for the job.没人怀疑她能胜任这项工作。

2 amateur   

adj.业余的，非专业的；n.业余爱好者

参考例句：

• He made an amateur attempt to build a cupboard.他很外行地试做了一个碗柜。
• Although Tom's only an amateur he's a first-class player.虽然汤姆只是个业余爱好者，但却是一流的高手。

3 sprinter   

n.短跑运动员，短距离全速奔跑者

参考例句：

• He is more a sprinter than a swimmer. 他是短跑健将，而不是游泳选手。 来自辞典例句
• The sprinter himself thinks he can run the race at 9.4 seconds. 这位短跑运动员自认为可以用9.4秒跑完比赛。 来自互联网

4 sneak   

vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行

参考例句：

• He raised his spear and sneak forward.他提起长矛悄悄地前进。
• I saw him sneak away from us.我看见他悄悄地从我们身边走开。

5 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

6 veils   

（绘画）层式法（在白色背景上涂一层薄而透明的油色，使，背景加染色彩，并能保持光泽的效果）； 面纱( veil的名词复数 )； 掩饰； 覆盖物； 薄薄的遮盖层

参考例句：

• The women wore veils in deference to the customs of the country. 这些妇女戴着面纱是遵从这个国家的习俗。
• In many Muslim countries, the women wear veils. 在许多穆斯林国家，妇女们蒙面纱。

7 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。