一起听英语 237 冬奥会中的科学

科学技术的发展与生活息息相关，连冬奥会也不除外，来看看冬奥会运动了哪些先进的技术?

Rob: Hello I’m Rob. Welcome to 6 Minute English. I’m joined today by Finn.

Hello Finn.

Finn: Hi Rob.

Rob: Today we’re talking about the biggest sporting event that's taking place at

the moment – the Winter Olympics at Sochi in Russia.

Finn: Yes, it's the 22nd Winter Games to take place but these ones are the most

expensive ever – they are reported to have cost around £32 billion.

Rob: And it was quite a surprise when the Games were awarded to Sochi back

in 2007 because the city is better known for palm trees than for ski

slopes. But a lot of new technology has gone into making this competition

possible.

Finn: Yes and a lot of technology has been used to make this year's sportsmen

and sportswomen faster than ever – and that's what we'll be discussing

today, as well as explaining some sports-related vocabulary.

Rob: But first Finn, let's see if you can 'go for gold' and get this question right.

One winter sport event in this Olympics is the Biathlon. It involves

competitors doing two things but what are they? Are they:

a) Cross-country skiing and rifle shooting

b) Downhill skiing and rifle shooting

c) Cross-country skiing and swimming

Finn: I'm going to say cross-country skiing and rifle shooting, that's a).

Rob: OK, we’ll find out if you are right or wrong later on. So Finn, are you a fan

of the Winter Olympics?

Finn: I must say I prefer the summer Olympics but I do enjoy watching the

skiing. What about you?

Rob: I particularly enjoy watching the bobsleigh racing – the speed is incredible

and it looks like a really fun thing to do.

Finn: And dangerous!

Rob: Yes. But of course, the athletes need a lot of skill to complete the course

in the fastest time and, of course, win the race.

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Finn: Yes, they need to be very fit but technology can also give them a

helping hand. Behind the scenes, computer modelling helps to design

the best wind-resistant bobsleighs - and the best techniques for the

athletes to use.

Rob: This is true for another Olympic sport, speed skating. When there's less

than a second between gold and silver medal, clothing can make a big

difference – a newly-designed speed-skating suit, introduced in 2002,

helped many skaters beat their personal best.

Finn: Yes, they improved their own fastest time. So materials used in the design

of sportswear can give competitors an advantage – and another factor is

the technology in the equipment they use.

Rob: Such as in skiing, where skis are manufactured – or made – with

materials that increase durability - that's staying in good condition for a

long time despite constant use – and stability – keeping skis upright – and

of course, speed.

Finn: Yes, and there are different designs for different types of skiing: some skis

are narrow and light to use for cross-country skiing while others are short

with curved edges, to allow skiers to tackle sharp turns in a slalom race.

Rob A slalom involves lots of tight turns. I tried that when I went skiing once

and it was quite tricky, especially at speed, which is why I took my time,

doing a snow-plough around every pole.

Finn: OK, so no gold medal for you! Ski design is constantly evolving – or

improving – which makes ski events some of the most varied and exciting

of the Winter Games.

Rob: There are other types of skiing in the Winter Olympics such as, ski

jumping, freestyle skiing, skiing moguls and Nordic skiing. All these

need one crucial – or essential thing:

Finn: Skis?

Rob: I was thinking more of snow! But as Sochi is known for its subtropical

climate, using natural snow is a little bit unreliable. That's why loads of

artificial – or fake snow is being made.

Finn: Yes, and snow guns are being used to do this. They eject cooled water and

compressed air to make man-made snow.

Rob: But the problem with this is it uses large quantities of water so it depletes

– or uses up – local resources. It's believed the snowmaking system at

Sochi could empty an Olympic-sized swimming pool in less than one hour.

Finn: Of course ice is another essential ingredient for many of the winter

games. Sports such as: curling, figure skating, ice hockey, luge and

skeleton – that's where competitors, known as sliders, hurtle head first

down the 1.5km course on a sled not much bigger than a tea-tray!

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Rob: That really does sound dangerous! And what about the biathlon Finn? I

asked you earlier which two sports that competition involves.

Finn: I really had no idea but I said a) cross-country skiing and rifle shooting.

Rob: Well, you're quite knowledgeable actually, because the answer is a). It's

cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Did you know, the biathlon is also

the sweatiest sport at the Winter Olympics? Male athletes typically

produce 2.3 litres (or 4 pints) of perspiration in the 20km race.

Finn: Four pints? Wow! Well, it makes me sweat just thinking about doing

something like that.

Rob: That's it for today, we hope you’ve enjoyed listening. Please join us again

soon for another 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. Bye.

Finn: Bye.