北京奧運會,一個美國人為你自豪而哭泣!
羅 玲
(美國國會議員藍普森顧問兼代表 )
(2008年8月6日)
2008年8月8日,北京奧運會還有一天就要開始了。我儘量平抑着那許多人已無法按奈的激動,等待着那一刻的到來,然後,讓情感盡情的宣泄,就如七年前中國獲得奧運主辦權之日一樣。
那是2001年7月13日。我正在攻讀攻讀工商管理碩士學位。過着兩點一線枯燥的學生生活。唯一的消遣便是上新浪網衝浪。網上充滿了中國申奧的消息。雖然我在國內大學期間也是個系裡的運動員,但以為中國申奧成功的可能不大,且覺得太遙遠,再加上學業很重,對申奧之事一直沒有太專注。
直至七月十三日臨晨,我開始無緣由地躁動不安,一種莫名的興奮感鬼使神差地促使我急忙打開電腦,衝到新浪網,密切關注着申奧的最後時刻,我也把我的美國先生羅傑早早叫醒,等着我的消息。我坐立不安地在各個房間裡竄來竄去,等回到電腦前時,“中國申奧成功!”的消息突然出現在新浪網的首頁頭條,我的心一陣狂跳,眼淚突然奪眶而出, 繼而淚流滿面。一種自豪感在心中油然而生,中國,我的祖國,贏了!我淚雨滂沱地把羅傑趕忙拽到電腦前面,哽咽着替他翻譯了這則滾動消息。羅傑的眼睛竟然也紅了,他竟然和我一樣熱淚盈眶,我們相擁而泣,為中國贏得主辦奧運會這個光榮的機會而感動,而自豪。羅傑立即坐下來,啪嗒啪嗒地雙手在鍵盤上揮舞着,不一會的功夫,就寫下了一篇“民族的驕傲”的文章。我們因為當時生活在俄勒崗,沒有多少中國人,無法與更多的華裔一起分享這份喜悅,也不知道如何投稿給國內的媒體。於是,我們把羅傑的稿子發給了 “俄勒岡人報” (全州發行)並在第二天就獲得發表。
2002年我碩士畢業後與先生一起搬到了德州休斯頓。現在,七年過去了,奧運會就要開幕了。世界各地的華裔歡欣鼓舞,祖國人民更是萬眾一心。我和我的先生期待着我們七年前的良好祝願在8月8日8點開花結果。更祝願我的祖國在這次奧運會上顯示我們的國力,我們的人民顯示良好的素質,向世界各國人民證明中國是一個繁榮昌盛的禮儀之邦!
以下是我先生2001年申奧成功日撰寫(我翻譯)的文章:
民族的驕傲
羅傑. 思奈德 (2001年7月13日)
國際奧委會投票授予中國為2008年奧運會主辦國在世界各地激起了各種情緒,正面的和負面的。奧運會的政治性是不能消除的。然而,很少有人能像我一樣有幸看到這對中國人民意味着什麼。我的妻子,一個美國永久居民,一個虔誠的資本主義者,在北京被宣布為2008奧林匹克運動會主辦單位時,含淚顯示了她對自己祖國的自豪。
我為我的妻子而驕傲和幸福,為中國人民(在中國和世界各地)以他們作為世界體育界的成員之一得到驗證而自豪和幸福。奧運會就是競賽,是運動員在競賽規則下顯示其競技實力的機會。
那些嘲笑中國政策的反對派們,難道美國就不該被嘲諷嗎? 我們也對犯人執行死刑。在宗教領域,你又認為世界其餘地區如何看待我們的“瓦科事件”?作為美國人,我們在過去十年中,消費了很多在中國製造的產品,利用那裡低廉的勞動力成本(有人稱為便宜)並享受它對這裡的價格所起的穩定作用。所以,如果中國能夠提供你所穿的鞋子, 製造你傾聽的音響,我就很肯定他們應該有權利主辦奧運會。
我認為,政治最好是留給政客們,運動最好是留給運動員們。
讓奧運會開始吧!
(註:我是美國俄勒岡州坡特蘭人,自從1965年起就居住在此地,期間短暫居住加州。我曾經是1976年州壘球冠軍隊本森高中隊的隊員,被評為1978“全投手”稱號。我此前多年被 “俄勒岡人報體育欄目的尼克博特冉,迪崴特傑尼斯採訪。)
英文原稿:
PRIDE OF A NATION
By Roger. D. Snyder (July 13th, 2001)
The vote of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to award the 2008 games to China has stirred feelings, positive and negative, throughout the world. The politics of the games can not be dismissed. However, few people have the vantage that I have had to see what it means to the people of China. My wife, a permanent resident of the United States and a devout capitalist, tearfully showed her pride to her countrymen at the announcement that Beijing would host the 2008 Olympic Games.
Isn’t this what the “sportsmanship” of the games is really about? I think so. As a former athlete, I can attest that the athlete has little concern for the “body politik” but rather prefers and excels at the prospect of athletic competition.
I am full of pride and happiness for my wife, the Chinese people (in China and around the world) for their validation as a member of the world sports community. The “Games” are about competition, and are meant to be a show of athletic prowess, where competition rules.
To the naysayers who deride China for it’s policies, can’t the USA also be derided? We execute people, too. And in the realm of religious persecution how do you think we looked to the rest of the world regarding the “Waco” incident? As Americans we consume many goods produced in China, taking advantage of low labor cost (some would say cheap) and the stabilizing effect it has had on prices here the last decade. So, if China is good enough to provide the sports shoes you wear, build the stereo you listen to, I’m quite sure they deserve to have the RIGHT to host an Olympic Games.
I think politics is best left to the politicians, and sports be left to the athletes.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
(Remarks: I am a Portland resident who has resided here since 1965, despite a brief stint in California. I was a member of the Benson High School State Championship Baseball team in 1976, and was voted All-City Pitcher in 1978. I have previously been interview by NICK BERTRAM, DWIGHT JAYNES for your sports section during those years. My email: econbanc@hotmail.com, phone: (503)-750-1315 for verification)