Chinese cheers pose a dilemma for Taiwan's athletes

這一篇是英國Guardian報導有關中國觀眾在北京奧運為台灣女子舉重選手加油的報導.

Some of the Chinese crowd applauding the crop-haired Taiwanese contender said it was "natural" to do so.

在問到為何為台灣選手加油時,這名任工廠經理說"因為台灣是中國的一部份,所以如果她得金牌那也算是中國的!"

"I don't think she's as strong as the Kazakh woman. But Taiwan is a part of China, so if she wins gold that also counts as ours," said Li Rufeng, a retired factory manager from northeast China, speaking before the results were decided.

記者在比賽結束後問到盧映錡來自中國觀眾的加油是否讓她士氣大振?她很低調的回應"這太敏感了,我不知道"

Taiwan's athletes must tread carefully between the mainland embrace and their home island's proud distinctiveness.

根據Cambridge dictionaries online的解釋

tread v.

1. walk/tread a tightrope

If you walk/tread a tightrope, you have to deal with a difficult situation, especially one involving making a decision between two opposing plans of action:

2. tread carefully/gently/lightly

to speak or behave carefully to avoid upsetting or causing offence to anyone:

ex. The government know they have to tread carefully on this issue.

2種解釋有些微的不同,但是都是小心翼翼,左顧右盼的意思.尤其是第2個解釋.

運動和政治真能分得開嗎?我看是一廂情願吧?!