奥委会丑闻 - 99世界十大体育新闻之八

　　自98年底暴露出贿赂丑闻以来，99年整整一年国际奥委会都挣扎在成立105年以来最大的危机之中，国际社会也对此事津津乐道。到今年年末，它终于推出了改革方案，力图重树声誉和形象，所谓"亡羊补牢，为时未晚"。

Olympic Scandal

It was the biggest crisis in the 105-year history of the International Olympic Committee, the most powerful sports organization in the world. And ironically[1], it all began in the lobby[2] of the IOC's headquarters. Marc Hodler, a senior executive board member of the IOC, held a impromptu[3] news conference on Dec. 12, 1998, alleging[4] that vote buying[5] was common in[6] the selection of host cities, that some IOC members were open to bribes[7], and that votes were bought and sold by agents. Hodler's allegations made Olympic corruption a hot topic all over the world and started an avalanche[8] of changes.

注释：

[1]ironically：讽刺地，带有讽刺意味地

[2]lobby：休息室

[3]impromptu：n. 即席演出 adj. 即席的，未经准备的

[4]allege：宣称

[5]vote buying：购买选票

[6]be common in：在某方面很常见

[7]be open to bribes：公开接受贿赂

[8]avalanche：雪崩。"an avalanche of"指数量很大，势头很猛。