帮助孩子实现“体育梦”

湖北十堰市竹溪县第二中学 柏元哲

在湖南省邵阳市白沙中心小学的操场上，63岁的他为40多名学生重复了一组高强度的练习动作。 虽然已经退休，但他仍在为孩子们“体育梦”的实现不懈努力着……

体裁记叙文文章词数 建议用时约393 8分钟

难词探意

1. initiate /ɪ΄nɪʃieɪt/ v. 使了解；教……开始尝试

2. adversity /əd΄vзːsəti/ n. 困境

3. sprint /sprɪnt/ n. 冲刺

In the playground of Baisha Central Primary School in Central China's Hunan Province, 63-yearold Tang Wenhan repeats a set of high-intensity exercises to more than 40 pupils. Tang, who retired two years ago, had taught physical education for 34 years in primary and middle schools in rural areas.

Tang is also recognized as a “world champion's first teacher” for initiating village children into the world of sports. Beads of sweat slide down Tang's dark, firm skin. He wipes the sweat from his cheek and talks about his post-retirement arrangements. For him, being retired does not mean the end, but rather allows him more time to help rural children achieve their sporting dreams in his former home, a room measuring less than 30 square metres.

“Get in line! ” Tang asks his students to line up for their warm-up. “Rural children are more energetic and they enjoy running and jumping. Sometimes it is difficult to control them,” he comments. “However, they are really passionate about sports and can face much adversity.” Tang often visits kindergartens and elementary schools in the county to find more sports-loving and talented children. He asks the children to learn the standing long jump and the sprint. “This way, their energy, jumping ability and physical coordination can be evaluated.” Once talented prospects are identified, Tang then contacts their parents. “If the parents allow their children to participate in training, I will help them exercise in their spare time and recommend them to coaches at the urban sports school,” says Tang. “I understand that the training conditions I can provide are not sufficient to train children to become professional athletes,” he adds.

For more than 30 years, Tang has been sending an average of four or five students to the city each year for vocational training. “Our rural children have been helping their families with farm work from a young age, so they are very diligent.” Tang also notes that some “left-behind” children in rural areas have nowhere to go after school. “They can come to me for exercise at no cost.” He also helps disabled children play sports. “They are as passionate about sports as all of us,” Tang says enthusiastically. “Being disabled does not mean they can't achieve their dreams; instead they can enjoy a full life, in spite of their disability.” He adds that for some people with disabilities, sports can brighten their lives.

Reading Check

1. What does Tang think of being retired?

A. It means the end of his physical education.

B. It makes him lose confidence in future life.

C. It gives him more freedom to enjoy rural life.

D. It allows him to help realize rural children's sporting dreams.

2. What can we know about Tang?

A. He has taught many students in urban areas.

B. He has a passion for helping parents in need.

C. He once lived in a room measuring less than 30 square metres.

D. He trains rural children to become famous and make money.

3. Why does Tang often visit kindergartens and elementary schools?

A. To help disabled children play sports.

B. To find more sports-loving and talented children.

C. To evaluate the development of rural education.

D. To figure out the difference between rural and urban children.

4. Which of the following words can describe rural children according to Tang?

A. Vigorous. B. Warm-hearted.

C. Humorous. D. Generous.