Spotlight - Difficult to Compete | Текст песни

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Voice 1

Welcome to Spotlight. I’m Ryan Geertsma.
Voice 2

And I’m Ruby Jones. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1

In 2008, the summer Olympics took place in Beijing, China. Athletes from around the world gathered there to compete in many sports. All of them dreamed of winning their events – winning a gold medal! The Olympics are over, but the stories of the athletes continue to encourage people around the world.
Voice 2

Most of the athletes were given much support from their home countries. They trained using the best equipment. Many had experienced teachers to help them succeed. They worked hard for months, even years to become the best at their sport.
Voice 1

But for some athletes, it was very difficult to train for the Olympics. Some came from poor countries that could not give them the best equipment or teachers. Others lived in cities divided by violence or war. And other athletes struggled with sickness, injuries or family problems. For these athletes, simply competing in the Olympics was an amazing achievement!
Voice 2

So on today’s Spotlight we share the stories of two of these athletes.
Voice 1

Samiya Yuusf Omar is a seventeen year old runner from the country of Somalia, in Africa. At the 2008 Olympics, she ran the two hundred meter race.
Voice 2

For Samiya, training for the Olympics was difficult for many reasons. One of the biggest reasons was her home country. Somalia has been divided by conflict since before Samiya was born. The government does not control the country. Soldiers from different groups are everywhere, and violence is common.
Voice 1

The war destroyed most of Somalia’s sport buildings and training centres, so Samiya did not have a safe place to run. Most of the time, she ran in an area full of holes, created by bombs. But on some days, she could not even run there. Soldiers would stop her, saying that women should not run. Samiya said,
Voice 3

“Traditionally Somalis see the girls as ruined if they join in with things like sports and music... So I have been coming under pressure from all different sides. Some days, early in the morning... I come to a road block, set up by soldiers. They prevent me from going to the training.”
Voice 2

Samiya’s family could not provide her with many resources for her training either. Her father died when she was very young, so her mother cares for Samiya on her own. They live in a very small house near the area where Samiya trained.
Voice 1

With her mother’s support, Samiya earned a place on Somalia’s Olympic team. This made her very happy, and very proud. She never expected to be chosen, because she is so young and because she is from a minority ethnic group.
Voice 2

At the Beijing Olympics, Samiya ran the slowest time of all the runners in her event. But she still felt very happy that she got to compete.
Voice 3

“This is the best thing any athlete can hope for. It has been a very happy experience for me. I am proud to bring the Somali flag to fly with all of these countries, and to stand with the best athletes in the world.”
Voice 1

Because Samiya is only seventeen years old, she will probably run in the next summer Olympic Games. There, she hopes that she will have a chance to win! She said,
Voice 3

“I think right now... I am on my way to a bright future.”
Voice 2

Like Samiya, Nery Brenes also ran at the Beijing Olympics. He is twenty two years old, and lives in Costa Rica. His event was the four hundred meter race.
Voice 1

Many people believe Nery Brenes is the best runner in all of Costa Rica. Before the Olympics, they believed he was the country’s best chance of winning an event! But for Nery, life was not always easy. His home city, Lim?n, is filled with violence. Nearly thirty people have been killed there this year. Nery hopes that he can improve the town with his running.
Voice 4

“Right now this town is going through a difficult time. There are a lot of deaths. Young kids killing young kids. There are a lot of drugs. So I am trying to be someone that they can see improving life... I want these kids to feel like I can help them live a better life.”
Voice 2

Nery’s mother, Maidela, is very proud of him. She sees that he is a good example for the other children in their town.
Voice 5

“He learned to run quickly. He ran everywhere; inside, outside, in the street. Now, the other kids here want to be like him.”
Voice 1

Nery was not always a well–known runner. For years, he trained on his own, often without good equipment. But in 2007, he ran a race in Osaka, Japan. He ran a very fast time, and people began to notice him.
Voice 2

In March of 2008, Nery finished fourth at the World Championship race in Valencia. He won eight thousand dollars [$8,000]. But he did not keep the money. Instead, he gave it to poor families in Limon. He said,
Voice 4

“Along with being world champion, and to help my family, my dream is to build a school in Limon for poor children.”
Voice 1

After that race, Nery trained very hard. He ran two or three times a day, every day of the week. He hoped to win the four hundred meters at the Olympics!
Voice 2

In the first qualifying race at the Olympics, Nery ran very well. He ran fast enough to compete in the final race. In that race, Nery ran the fastest that he had ever run. His time was very good, but it was not fast enough. Nery did not win a medal in his event. But he is proud that he ran at the Olympics.
Voice 4

“It was an amazing experience. I feel happy to have run in such a huge event. My favourite thing was being with my team–mates and running for my country. I felt so proud to represent Costa Rica.”
Voice 1

Like Samiya, Nery hopes that these will not be his last Olympics.
Voice 4

“I am young and if I train hard, I can make it for the next Olympics. I just want to run and be fast.”
Voice 2

Like most of the athletes who competed, Nery Brenes and Samiya Yuusf Omar did not win their events at the Beijing Olympics. But both of them achieved their dreams. They represented their home countries. They made their families proud. And they both had a chance to encourage other people. Their examples could help someone live a better life.
Voice 1

Is there anyone in your life who has encouraged you? A friend? A parent? A teacher? Do you set an example for other people with the way you live? Share your story. You can e-mail us at radio@english.net.
Voice 2

The writer and producer of this program was Ryan Geertsma. The voices you heard were from the United States and the United Kingdom. All quotes were adapted and voiced by Spotlight. Computer users can visit our website at http://www.radio.english.net. This program is called “Difficult to Compete.” We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye!

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