The decision on Tuesday by Japan and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games until next summer because of the novel corona virus pandemic (流行病) must have been a hard one to make.
Although the Games have been canceled three times in all, in 1916, 1940 and 1944 — due to the two world wars in the modern Olympics’history of more than 120 years, never before have any Games been postponed to a different year.
Nevertheless,the decision is the right one. If it is not brought under control, the harm done to human society by the pandemic could be more serious and far-reaching than even the two world wars. Given the number of countries affected and social and economic shock waves that have been caused by the rapid spread of the virus,postponing the Games is the only right and sensible choice to make.
After all, nothing is more important than people’s lives. Postponing the Games not only safeguards the health of athletes,audiences and everyone involved in the Games, but also reduces potential transmission of the virus from one place to another. Even looking at it from only a sporting level, the pandemic has already caused huge disruptions (扰乱) to athletes’ training and the qualification process.
It is undoubtedly a big blow for Japan, which has prepared meticulously for the largest sports event in the world, including renovating and upgrading its infrastructure and sports venues, such as rebuilding Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium at cost of$1.45 billion. Japan will suffer huge loss at least in the short term.
The international community owes a big “thank you” to Japan for all it has done for the Games despite the postponement. That’s why the Games will still be called the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 despite taking place in 2021. The Olympic flame will also remain stored and displayed in Japan.
More importantly,all members in the Olympic family, guided by the Olympic spirit of respect and understanding are morally bound to stand behind Japan to go through this most difficult moment in the Games’ history.
【小题1】What does the word “it” in Paragraph 3 refer to?| A．The decision. | B．The Games. | C．The pandemic. | D．The war. |
| A．One. | B．Two. | C．Three. | D．Four. |
| A．the Games should be put off in times of war and disaster |
| B．the Games will still be called Tokyo 2020 Games for its sacrifice |
| C．postponing the Games will have a bad influence on the athletes |
| D．the Olympic family will have to make up for the loss of Japan |
| A．The whole world will support Japan. | B．Japan will keep the Olympic flame burning. |
| C．Postponing the Games will bring the world hope. | D．Tokyo will become the symbol of the Games. |
