Mascot-for-2008-Paralympics.doc

2008年北京残奥会吉祥物——福牛乐乐终于亮相！它可爱的造型背后要传达多少含义呢？我们这就去了解一下。
　　The mascot for the 2008 Paralympic Games was unveiled on September 6. A grand ceremony was held at the Badaling section of the Great Wall, which also marked the two-year countdown to the games.
　　The mascot is called Fu Niu Lele(福牛乐乐). It is modeled after a lovely young cow.
　　Absorbing Chinese culture
　　“The design of the mascot absorbs the style of the Chinese culture. Traditional Chinese design styles, such as engraved prints and New Year drawings, were used in creating the mascot. Fu Niu Lele demonstrates the harmony between human beings and nature,” said Liu Qi, President of the Beijing 2008 Organizing Committee(北京奥组委主席).
　　In Chinese culture, the cow has characteristics like diligence, determination, courage, endurance and strength. Fu Niu Lele, therefore, is a perfect expression of the willpower of Paralympic athletes.
　　Attractive ambassador
　　Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee(国际残疾人奥委会) said, “Sport brings happiness, fun and enjoyment to people all over the world. This colorful ambassador of joy will attract people of all ages to the message of Paralympic Sport — ‘Spirit in Motion(精神寓于运动)’.”
　　After the unveiling of the mascot, products such as toys of Fu Niu Lele and stamps with the cow’s image have gone on sale nationwide.
　　The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games will be held from 6 to 17 September 2008. It is expected that 4,000 athletes from 150 countries and regions will participate in 20 sports.

　　ambassador 大使 countdown 倒计时
　　demonstrate 展示 determination 决心
　　endurance 耐力 engraved print 版画
　　harmony 和谐 New Year drawing 年画
　　unveil 揭晓 willpower 意志力