Russian and Belarusian Skaters Can Return to Sport
Russian and Belarusian Skaters Can Return to Sport
俄羅斯與白俄羅斯滑冰選手可重返賽場
Introduction
The International Skating Union (ISU) says skaters from Russia and Belarus can compete again.
國際滑冰聯盟 (ISU) 表示，來自俄羅斯與白俄羅斯的選手可以再次參賽。
Main Body
These skaters could not compete since February 2022. The ISU stopped them to keep people safe. Now, the ISU says they can return.
這些選手自 2022 年 2 月起便無法參賽。ISU 當時禁止他們參賽是為了確保安全。現在，ISU 表示他們可以回歸。
Skaters must follow strict rules. They cannot be in the army. They cannot support the war in Ukraine. They cannot use their national flags or songs.
選手必須遵守嚴格的規定。他們不能在軍隊服役，也不能支持烏克蘭戰爭。他們不能使用國旗或國歌。
Some skaters may have problems. They might not get visas to go to Finland, South Korea, or China. The ISU still helps Ukrainian skaters with money.
部分選手可能會遇到問題。他們可能無法取得前往芬蘭、韓國或中國的簽證。ISU 仍將在資金方面援助烏克蘭選手。
Conclusion
Skaters from Russia and Belarus can now enter world events if they are neutral.
只要保持中立，俄羅斯與白俄羅斯的選手現在可以參加世界賽事。
Vocabulary Learning
🛑 The Power of 'CANNOT'
In this text, we see a pattern for talking about rules and things that are impossible.
The Pattern:
Subject + cannot + Action
Examples from the story:
- Skaters → cannot compete
- They → cannot be in the army
- They → cannot use flags
How to use it for A2:
Use cannot (or the short version can't) when something is against the law or a rule.
Simple Comparison:
- Can: I can skate. (I have the skill ⛸️)
- Cannot: I cannot skate here. (The rule says no 🚫)
Vocabulary Learning
International Skating Union Allows Russian and Belarusian Athletes to Return as Neutrals
國際滑冰聯盟允許俄羅斯與白俄羅斯運動員以中立身份回歸
Introduction
The International Skating Union (ISU) has announced that it is ending the ban on athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus, allowing them to return to international competitions for the next season.
國際滑冰聯盟（ISU）已宣佈取消對俄羅斯與白俄羅斯運動員及裁判的禁令，允許他們在下個賽季重返國際賽事。
Main Body
This decision follows a period of exclusion that began in February 2022. The ISU emphasized that this ban was not a punishment, but rather a protective measure to ensure the safety of all participants and the fairness of the competitions. This change in policy follows general trends in the Olympic Movement and specific advice from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), including recommendations made on May 7 regarding Belarusian athletes.
此決定是在 2022 年 2 月開始的排除期之後做出的。ISU 強調此次禁令並非懲罰，而是一種保護措施，旨在確保所有參與者的安全與競賽的公平性。此次政策變更遵循了奧林匹克運動的總體趨勢，以及國際奧委會（IOC）的具體建議，包括 5 月 7 日針對白俄羅斯運動員的建議。
To participate, athletes must meet strict neutrality rules. For example, they cannot compete if they are currently serving in the military or national security agencies, if they have taken part in military operations in Ukraine, or if they have publicly supported the conflict. Consequently, these athletes must compete without using national symbols, such as flags or anthems. The ISU noted that the successful participation of neutral athletes in recent Olympic qualification events served as a positive example for this decision.
若要參與，運動員必須符合嚴格的中立規定。例如，若其目前在軍隊或國家安全部門服役、參與過在烏克蘭的軍事行動，或公開支持該衝突，則不得參賽。因此，這些運動員在參賽時不得使用國旗或國歌等國家象徵。ISU 指出，中立運動員在近期奧運資格賽中的成功參與，為此次決定提供了正面範例。
However, some challenges still remain. The ISU acknowledged that athletes might have difficulty getting visas for championships in countries like Finland, South Korea, and China. Furthermore, the organization stated that it may bring back restrictions if safety concerns arise. At the same time, the ISU continues to provide financial support to displaced Ukrainian skaters, asserting that allowing neutral athletes to return does not change its strong opposition to the armed conflict.
然而，挑戰依然存在。ISU 承認運動員在申請前往芬蘭、韓國和中國等國家參加錦標賽的簽證時，可能會遇到困難。此外，該組織表示，若出現安全疑慮，可能會恢復限制。同時，ISU 繼續為流亡的烏克蘭滑冰選手提供財政支持，並堅稱允許中立運動員回歸，並不改變其強烈反對武裝衝突的立場。
Conclusion
Russian and Belarusian skaters can now return to world and Grand Prix events as neutral participants, provided they meet safety requirements and can obtain the necessary visas.
俄羅斯與白俄羅斯的滑冰選手現在可以以中立參與者身份回歸世界賽與大獎賽，前提是必須符合安全要求並取得必要簽證。
Vocabulary Learning
⚡ The 'Logic Bridge': Mastering Connector Words
At the A2 level, students usually use simple words like and, but, and because. To move toward B2, you need to use Logical Connectors. These words act like bridges, telling the reader exactly how two ideas are related.
🔍 Discovery from the Text
Look at how the article moves from one idea to the next using these advanced triggers:
-
The Result Bridge
Consequently- Text: "...publicly supported the conflict. Consequently, these athletes must compete without using national symbols."
- A2 version: "...so they must compete without flags."
- B2 Upgrade: Use Consequently or Therefore when the second sentence is a direct, formal result of the first.
-
The Contrast Bridge
However/Furthermore- Text: "However, some challenges still remain... Furthermore, the organization stated..."
- The Trick:
Howeverflips the direction of the story (Positive Negative).Furthermoreadds more weight to the same direction (Problem + More Problem).
-
The Condition Bridge
Provided- Text: "...as neutral participants, provided they meet safety requirements."
- A2 version: "...if they meet safety requirements."
- B2 Upgrade: Use Provided (that) when there is a strict requirement that must be met for something to happen.
🛠️ Quick Application Guide
Instead of using "But" at the start of every sentence, try this hierarchy:
| If you want to... | Use this B2 Word | Example from Life |
|---|---|---|
| Show a result | Consequently | I missed the bus; consequently, I was late. |
| Add a new point | Furthermore | The hotel was dirty. Furthermore, it was noisy. |
| Set a rule | Provided | You can go out, provided you finish your homework. |
| Change direction | However | I love skating. However, I am not very good at it. |
Vocabulary Learning
The International Skating Union Reinstates Russian and Belarusian Athletes Under Neutral Status.
國際滑冰聯盟恢復俄羅斯與白俄羅斯運動員的中立身份
Introduction
The International Skating Union (ISU) has announced the cessation of the ban on athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus, permitting their return to international competitions for the upcoming season.
國際滑冰聯盟（ISU）已宣布取消對俄羅斯與白俄羅斯運動員及官員的禁令，允許他們在即將到來的賽季重返國際賽事。
Main Body
The decision follows a period of exclusion initiated in February 2022, which the ISU characterized not as a disciplinary sanction, but as a protective measure intended to preserve the integrity of competitions and the safety of participants. This policy shift aligns with broader trends within the Olympic Movement and specific guidance from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), including a May 7 recommendation regarding the readmission of Belarusian athletes.
此決定是在 2022 年 2 月開始的排除期後做出的。ISU 將其定調為保護措施而非紀律處分，旨在維護賽事的公正性與參賽者的安全。此次政策轉向符合奧林匹克運動的整體趨勢，並遵循國際奧林匹克委員會（IOC）的具體指引，包括 5 月 7 日關於重新接納白俄羅斯運動員的建議。
Eligibility for participation is contingent upon the fulfillment of strict neutrality criteria. Athletes are precluded from competing if they maintain active service within the armed forces or national security agencies of their respective states, have participated in military operations in Ukraine, or have publicly manifested support for the conflict. Consequently, these individuals must compete devoid of national symbols, including flags and anthems. The ISU noted that the successful integration of neutral athletes during the 2025-2026 Olympic qualification cycle and the 2026 Milan Cortina Games—exemplified by the sixth-place finishes of Adeliia Petrosian and Petr Gumennik—served as a precedent for this rapprochement.
參賽資格取決於是否符合嚴格的中立標準。若運動員仍在其所屬國家的武裝部隊或國家安全機構服役、參與過在烏克蘭的軍事行動，或公開表達對衝突的支持，則不得參賽。因此，這些個體在參賽時不得使用國家象徵，包括國旗與國歌。ISU 指出，中立運動員在 2025-2026 年奧運資格賽週期及 2026 年米蘭-科爾蒂納冬奧會中的成功整合——例如 Adeliia Petrosian 與 Petr Gumennik 分獲第六名——為此次關係恢復提供了先例。
Despite this policy adjustment, systemic challenges persist. The ISU acknowledged that athletes may encounter difficulties securing entry visas for future championships hosted by Finland, South Korea, and China. Furthermore, the organization maintains a conditional approach, reserving the right to reimpose restrictive measures should safety or integrity concerns emerge. Simultaneously, the ISU continues to provide financial and developmental assistance to displaced Ukrainian skaters, asserting that the readmission of neutral athletes does not mitigate its condemnation of armed conflict.
儘管政策有所調整，但系統性挑戰依然存在。ISU 承認，運動員在申請由芬蘭、韓國與中國主辦的未來錦標賽入境簽證時，可能會遇到困難。此外，該組織採取有條件的方法，保留在出現安全或公正疑慮時重新實施限制措施的權利。同時，ISU 繼續為流亡的烏克蘭滑冰選手提供財務與發展援助，並強調重新接納中立運動員並不減輕其對武裝衝突的譴責。
Conclusion
Russian and Belarusian skaters may now return to world and Grand Prix events as neutral participants, subject to ongoing safety monitoring and visa availability.
俄羅斯與白俄羅斯的滑冰選手現在可以以中立身份重返世界賽與大獎賽，但需視乎持續的安全監控與簽證獲批情況。
Vocabulary Learning
The Architecture of 'Euphemistic Precision'
To transition from B2 to C2, a student must move beyond accuracy and master nuance. The provided text is a masterclass in Diplomatic Hedging—the art of using highly formal, Latinate vocabulary to distance the speaker from the emotional or political weight of a statement.
◈ The Linguistic Pivot: Nominalization as a Shield
Observe how the text avoids active, aggressive verbs. Instead of saying "The ISU stopped banning people," it uses:
"...announced the cessation of the ban..."
By turning the action (cease) into a noun (cessation), the author creates an objective, clinical atmosphere. This is a hallmark of C2 academic and legal writing: Nominalization. It strips the sentence of 'agency' and replaces it with 'process'.
◈ Lexical Sophistication: The 'High-Value' Substitutions
B2 students use common descriptors; C2 practitioners use precision instruments. Contrast these pairings from the text:
| B2/C1 Equivalent | C2 Masterclass Choice | Linguistic Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Depending on | Contingent upon | Establishes a formal, conditional legal bond. |
| Prevented from | Precluded from | Suggests a systemic or legal barrier rather than a simple stop. |
| Coming back together | Rapprochement | A loanword from French diplomacy; implies the restoration of harmonious relations. |
| Make it less bad | Mitigate | Precise technical term for reducing severity. |
◈ Syntactic Complexity: The 'Condition-Constraint' Loop
Look at the construction: "...reserving the right to reimpose restrictive measures should safety or integrity concerns emerge."
Note the use of 'should' as a replacement for 'if'.
- Standard: "...if safety concerns emerge."
- C2: "...should safety concerns emerge."
This inversion is a subtle marker of high-register English, signaling a formal hypothetical. It shifts the tone from a simple possibility to a professional proviso.
C2 Takeaway: Mastery is not about using the biggest word, but the word that carries the exact degree of formal distance required for the context. In official discourse, emotion is replaced by terminology.