NEWS worthy Clips (2/2)

Update your vocabulary with news clips from around the world 

Olympic Countdown

Medals’ Gold Rush

A Lithuanian is coaching the Chinese men’s basketball team. The women’s team is coached by an Australian. A Japanese coach heads the synchronized swim team, a Serbian coaches the men’s soccer team, and a Swede is in charge of the women’s soccer team.
China won 32 gold medals at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, second only to the United States (36 golds), which is remarkable considering the Chinese won only five gold medals at the 1988 Games. Recent results at international competitions indicate the Chinese are to do even better on their home soil.
Strong past, promising future

At 2006 world championship and World Cup events in all Olympic sports, China led the way with 43 gold medals, followed by the United States (36) and Russia (34). The United States won the most medals overall with 102 to Russia’s 91 and China’s 77. Although the United States still in track and field and swimming, China and other countries will pile up medals.

“The Beijing Olympics will be the most competitive we’ve ever seen, and this Chinese team will be its strongest ever,” U.S. Darryl Seibel said.

“China has made steady progress over the past 20 years in preparation for these Games, which we believe will be one of the most significant events of our lifetime. Socially, culturally and environmentally, this is China’s coming out party.”

Other countries expected to be strong are Japan, Germany, Australia and Korea. Among the many preparations in China, officials are holding to teach fans how to cheer. It seems the Chinese will have plenty of occasions to use their training.

Vocabulary Focus

home soil (n. phr) ---the area that a person or group considers its own

pile up (phr. v) ---to increase in amount

Specialized terms

synchronized swimming (n. phr)--- 水上芭蕾 a sport in which a group of swimmers make graceful dance-like movements in the water at the same time

track and field (n. phr)--- 田径 a particular group of competitive sports, including running, jumping and throwinge

coming out party (n. phr)--- 初次亮相活动或宴会 a first formal public introduction to society