20090715 -- The 2009 World Games (1)

The 2009 World Games

Kaohsiung welcomes the world
This month, visitors from around the world converge on Kaohsiung to participate in one of the world's foremost athletic competitions – the World Games. Though independent of the Olympics, the World Games have much in common with their larger Olympic cousin. Both competitions follow the principles of the Olympic Charter, and both are held every four years. Like the Olympics, the World Games begin with an opening ceremony and conclude with a closing ceremony. But most importantly, both seek to unite people from around the world through friendly competition.

Though the similarities are important, the differences between the two competitions are what really set the World Games apart. Unlike the Olympics, the World Games do not require the host city to build new facilities, but encourage it to make use of existing venues. As a result, a broad range of cities from Duisburg, Germany, to Akita, Japan, is eligible to host the event.

More importantly, the World Games intentionally include sports that, while recognized by the International Olymplic Committee, are not included in the Olympic Games. Consequently, the World Games offer a collection of popular and exciting sports that appeal to a broad audience.


converge v. 聚集/會合
-> meet together
eg: Each morning the students converge on the playground to begin the school day.
eg: Medical professionals converged on the conference to exchange ideas.
eg: Many residents converged outside of the community center to protest the meeting.

charter n. 憲章
=> document that gives definitions to a organization
eg: The role of the school in the surrounding community is explained
in the university's charter.

venue n. 事情發生或集合的地點
=> a place where activities take place
eg: The city has prepared a number of terrific venues for both tourists and business visitors.
eg: The Hyatt Hotel, the venue for the film festival, is fully packed this week.
eg: The school's gymnasium is an ideal venue for our basketball competition.

eligible adj. 合格的/符合條件的
-> have legal right to do something
eligible for + 職務/機會
eligible to + 事
eg: Terry is meeting with the students who are eligible to join the school basketball team.
eg: Ricky is nearsighted, so he's not eligible for the air force.
eg: Susan already got her credentials, so she is eligible to teach now.


foremost adj. 第一流的/最重要的

conclude v. 結束
conclude with
= end with
eg: The meeting concluded just now.

host city 主辦城市

//== Chat room ==//

set aside 放在一邊/擱置在一旁
-> reserve
eg: She sets aside some money for rainy days.

set apart 使某樣東西顯得突出
eg: Her good looks set apart from classmates.

set about 著手開始
-> start/begin
eg: It all depends on how you set about it.