Blood, Sweat, Muscles and Medals:The 2016 Olympics2016 奧運：揮灑血汗的運動競技場
圖片來源：一百隻熊
This year, be prepared to witness monumental performances from some of the world's greatest athletes competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Emerging from ancient Greece and then revived in 1896 by a French nobleman, the Olympics were originally limited to just nine events and thirteen countries back in its humble beginning. In 2016 we will see twenty-eight sports in over three hundred events, over two hundred participating nations and around ten thousand athletes. It is indeed the world's most global sporting event.
今年，在巴西里約熱內盧的2016年夏季奧運中，一起準備見證世上最偉大運動員的不朽表現。奧運誕生自古希臘，之後於1896年由一位法國貴族復興，在最初草創期中，僅有9項賽事、13個國家參與。但到2016年，我們將看到28種運動項目及300場以上的賽事，有超過200個國家和上萬名運動員參與。這的確是最全球性的體育盛會。
Track and field could probably be regarded as the core of the Olympics. Track covers all running events and field is anything that takes place within the oval, including throwing and jumping. However, a whole range of other competitions take place too, including swimming, sailing, wrestling, weight lifting and this year the introduction of rugby and golf.
田徑項目被視為奧運的核心。徑賽涵蓋所有跑步項目，而田賽則包括任何需要在田徑場地內舉行的比賽，包括投擲和跳躍。然而，其他項目也在同時進行，包括游泳、帆船、摔角、舉重，以及今年新增的橄欖球和高爾夫球。
It takes years of preparation for these zealous, outstanding competitors to develop enough stamina, skill and strategy to represent their nations. So with that in mind, be sure to tune in to what should be a wonderful spectacle. The Opening ceremony kicks things off on Friday August 5th , and after that, be prepared to witness the blood, sweat, muscles and tears as athletes battle it out to be the world's greatest champions.
這些熱血、傑出的選手需要花費多年時間去鍛鍊耐力、技巧和策略，才能代表自己的國家參賽。記得這一點，然後準備好去欣賞每場精采賽事。奧運在8月5日星期五揭開序幕，在這之後，請準備見證選手們為了贏得競爭成為世界冠軍，所付出的鮮血、汗水、肌肉和淚水。
12 Useful Olympic words to get you started
12 個看懂奧運的常用詞彙
● national anthem (noun) 國歌
A country's national song.
象徵國家精神的歌曲。
● ban (noun/verb) 禁止
Not allowed to compete.
不允許參加比賽。
● controversy (noun) 爭議
Disagreement over an issue.
對一項問題有不同異議。
● doping (noun) 服用興奮劑
Using drugs to improve one's performance.
使用藥物去提升個人表現。
● disqualified (verb) 取消比賽資格
When an athlete is removed from competition.
當一位選手從賽程中被除名。
● preliminaries (noun) 預賽
Tryouts. The races to get to the finals.
選拔賽。總決賽前的各項比賽。
● endurance (noun) 耐力
The ability to carry on for a long time without giving up.
可長期持續不放棄的能力。
●qualify (verb) 符合資格
To achieve the minimum standard to be able to compete.
達到最低參賽水準。
● regulations (noun) 規範
The rules.
規則。
● sportsmanship (noun) 運動精神
Fairness and honesty in sports.
比賽中的公平與誠實。
● standings (noun) 戰績表
A record of an athlete's performance.
選手的表現紀錄。
● underdog (noun) 居下風者
The person/team that is the least likely to win by people's expectations.
在預期中最不被看好的人／團隊。
Language Corner
1.monumental (adj):Very large （龐大的）
Climate change is having a monumental effect on the planet.
2.emerge (verb):To come out （冒出）
You could see the shark's fin emerge from the surface of the water.
3.revive (verb):To bring back something from the past and make it happen again （復興）
During the 1990's there seemed to be a revival of classic 60's rock n'roll.
4.zealous (adj):To have zeal (extreme enthusiasm)（熱情的）
He was a particularly zealous person when discussing politics.
5.stamina (noun):The mental or physical energy to be able do things over a long time period（毅力）
It takes incredible stamina to complete a marathon.
6.spectacle (noun):An exciting or unusual event to watch（表演、景象）
The Circus de Soleil is often regarded as a magnificent spectacle.