The World Cup

        Even though FIFA was formed as early as 1904, it took them almost three decades to start a true international competition. The Olympic tournament had been the only tournament so far with worldwide participation, but that was for amateurs only. However, more and more nations had adopted professionalism and "shamateurism" was creeping into the amateur game. This was apparent at the Paris Olympics in 1924, when the very "professional" Uruguay team became the first South American nation to win the title.

        A worldwide tournament was proposed to solve the problem. That who will control the new competition was always in controversy until FIFA duly announced its plan to run its own competition, open to all affiliated countries. They did not immediately give name to the competition, but the world's press was quick to give it their own title -- "Jules Rimet Cup". Eventually that was how the World Cup officially became known, thus honouring the man who had done so much for FIFA in drumming up support amongst member nations.

        By May 1929, FIFA still had not finalized plans for the first championship that was due to start in 1930. The host nation had not been selected for the financial reason. As talks dragged on, Uruguay supported by the South America and Italy supported by Europe became the final rivals for hosting world's first real football. At last the dream of Uruguay come true.


ANNOTATION:

professionalism: n. 职业化      
affiliated: adj. 加入的，联合的
drum up: 拓展，张罗，拉拢    
    


Jules Rimet Trophy

        The FIFA World Cup trophy in the early years was designed by the French sculptor, Abel LaFleur in 1.8kg pure gold. It was a statue of the goddess of victory holding up an octagonal bowl in her hands. In 1948, the trophy's name was changed to Jules Rimet Trophy to honor the founder and FIFA President of the World Cup Soccer Games Jules Rimet. The champion team who kissed the trophy in the first FIFA World Cup in 1930 was the host team of Uruguay. In 1970, the trophy belonged to Brazil which recorded the third consecutive victory in Mexico. Unfortunately, this trophy, which had then been kept by Brazilian Soccer Association, was stolen in 1983. Although there is a rumor that the trophy was melt into gold bars and sold, the rumor has been not confirmed as of yet. The Brazilian Soccer Association has made a duplicate of the trophy and holds in its possession up to now.
　

　
FIFA Cup

        As Brazil held in its permanent position the FIFA trophy since 1970, the FIFA produced a new trophy. The new trophy was designed by the Italian Sculptor Silvio Gazazniga. The trophy has the shape of two players standing back to back with stretched hands to hold up the globe. Its height is 36CM (14 inch), its weight is 4.97 kg (11.lb.), and is made of 18k gold. The FIFA has the trophy in its permanent possession and a duplicate is awarded to the champion in each FIFA World Cup. In order to avoid another tragedy of robbery, the FIFA has insured this trophy for 25 million Swiss francs (approx. 23 millions US dollars).


ANNOTATION：

trophy: n. 奖品，纪念品                    
octagonal: adj. 八边形的，八边的
consecutive: adj. 连续的


The Winner of FIFA