从CCTV5到CCTV1足坛巨星当选总统，还用中文说谢谢
从CCTV5到CCTV1，从世界足球先生到非洲国家总统，今天小编要带你了解乔治·维阿的人生传奇。
宣誓就职
Liberia's new president George Weah has taken the oath of office.
He reiterated the adherence to the One-China principle, saying his government would work closely with China.
先让中国国际广播电台驻非洲记者 徐璟 带你去现场看看他人生的高光时刻：
2018年1月22日，将近4万人聚集在首都蒙罗维亚的国家体育场，共同见证新当选的乔治·维阿宣誓就任利比里亚总统。
现场民众高举横幅，挥舞国旗，齐声高喊维阿的名字。
维阿在就职演讲中用中文对中国说“谢谢”‘’。他表示，中国是利比里亚最值得信赖的伙伴之一，他希望继续发展与中国的友好关系。
To the PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, I say "XIEXIE". Our administration will continue to support the "One-China Policy". China has emerged as one of Liberia's most dependable allies. It is my hope that Chinese-Liberian relationships will grow stronger during my tenure as President.
他还特别提到了就职典礼所在的国家体育场。维阿说这个由中国援建的项目不仅是利中友谊的见证，也是和平的象征。
The Samuel Kanyan Doe Sports Complex, built by the Chinese, where this Inaugural Ceremony is being held, is where I gained my exposure to the football world. It does not only stand as a monument of Chinese friendship toward Liberians, but It also stands as a symbol of peace and reconciliation for the Liberian people.
补充一个有趣的小细节，你知道维阿的全名是啥吗？
小编也是这次听完他的就职演说才知道的：
George Forky-klon Jlaleh-gbah-ku-gbeh Tarpeh Manneh Weah
你记住了吗？
足球巨星
Weah was born on Oct. 1, 1966. He was raised in the Clara Town slum of Monrovia.
Weah was named FIFA World Player of the Year 1995. That same year, he won the Ballon d'Or, becoming the first African player to win these awards.
In 1996, he was named African Player of the Century.
做一个暴露年龄的比喻：假如人生如同磁带，也有A面、B面之分，那么在维阿的人生中，A面是足球，B面才是政治。
When I started playing football, I never thought I would ever win the Ballon d’Or and emerge as the best player in the world. I just had a passion for the game and I worked hard. Every day. I would rather train than eat or sleep.
维阿的前半生属于球场：他出生在利比里亚首都蒙罗维亚的贫民窟，自幼踢球，凭借球技改变了自己的命运，到欧洲球场淘金，在进入AC米兰之后迎来职业生涯的巅峰。
他一人独揽欧洲足球先生（金球奖 Ballon d'Or）、非洲足球先生、世界足球先生这三项头衔，被认为是历史上最伟大的非洲球员之一。
维阿和巴乔、萨维切维奇组成的“三叉戟”至今仍让很多球迷津津乐道。
在就职演说中，维阿谈到他此生曾经无数次站在体育场上，但是这一天的感觉格外不同。不同于比赛总有胜负，“今天，我们全都身穿利比里亚的球衣。胜利属于人民，属于和平，属于民主。”
I have spent many years of my life in stadiums, but today is a feeling like no other. I am overwhelmed with the crowd and the energy here today, and I guarantee you, when we finish, there will not be a winning or a losing side. Today, we all wear the jersey of Liberia, and the victory belongs to the people, to peace, and to democracy.
永不放弃
Weah first announced his intention to run for president in the 2005 elections but lost the contest to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first elected female president.
In 2011, he ran for vice president but failed again.
和他的A面人生相比，维阿的B面人生似乎没有那么顺利：
- 2003年，维阿宣布退役并转而从政。
- 2005年，39岁的维阿第一次参加总统选举，但是以失败而告终。
- 2011年，他以副总统候选人的身份再次参加选举，但依然失败。
A lot of people felt that because I did not become the president that I had failed but for me, I had a good feeling … I see that experience as preparation for what I'm doing now. When I had a conversation with Nelson Mandela many years ago, he told me that if I was called on to serve my country I must do the right thing. I am acting on that advice.
对于失败，他视之为宝贵经验；对于对手的攻击，他选择强势反击：
当有人攻击他没有受过良好教育，也缺乏政治经验，维阿反唇相讥：“那些人用他们的教育和经验管理了这个国家几百年，结果却对这个国家一事无成。”
面对质疑，维阿选择实力打脸，他重返校园，从高中文凭一直攻读到硕士学位。
十二年后
The former football star took over from Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who served a two-term tenure of 12 years.
It's also Liberia's first power transition between democratically-elected leaders since 1944.
人们常说十二年一轮回。2017年12月27日，维阿当选利比里亚总统，此时距离他首次参选恰好过去了12年。
I am called to service for the love of my country and the love of my people. I want to become president because I think I can do more for my people in this position.
这位贫民窟出身的总统被寄予厚望，人们希望他能消除腐败顽疾。
维阿在就职演讲中也重提竞选承诺，誓将反腐进行到底！
It is my belief that the most effective way to directly impact the poor, and to narrow the gap between rich and poor, is to ensure that public resources do not end up in the pockets of Government officials.
I further believe that the overwhelming mandate I received from the Liberian people is a mandate to end corruption in public service. I promise to deliver on this mandate.
开始踢球时，他没想过自己要拿金球奖，但后来他不仅拿到了金球奖，还成为了非洲足球先生、世界足球先生。
本可以腰缠万贯地留在欧洲享受“退休人生”，但是终究放不下苦难的同胞，他决定回国从政，如今当选总统，开启人生新篇章……
这位非洲球星的A面人生已经拿到了满分，他的B面人生会得到一个怎样的成绩？让我们拭目以待。
最后留两个暴露年龄的小问题：你听说过乔治·维阿吗？你看过他踢球吗？
欢迎留言分享。
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