See You in Beijing（在线收听）

See You in Beijing

The greatest moment of the race is not the touching of the wall, or when one swimmer begins to pull ahead of the pack. The greatest moment takes place before the pistol even fires, when for a brief time no nation is greater or smaller, stronger or weaker than any other.

For me, that is an Olympic moment!

— Kofi Annan

The 2004 Athens Games have come to a close. The final night of celebrations marked the end of the return of the Games to the place where the Olympics were born. It also marked the beginning of the countdown to the next Games, to be held in Beijing in 2008.

Jacque Rogge (IOC Chairment): These Games were unforgettable, dream Games. And now, in accordance with tradition, I declare the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad closed and I call upon the youth of the world to assemble four years from now in Beijing to celebrate with us there the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.

It was a night to celebrate the Olympic spirit, and the Olympic hopes, as they completed the homecoming of the modern Olympics. The closing ceremony was all about having a good time, with a celebration of Greek culture.

As the closing ceremony marked the end of this year’s summer Games, it also got the ball rolling for Beijing. The Chinese flag was raised, as the national ¹⁾anthem rang out. International Olympic Committee President Jacque Rogue handed over the Olympic ²⁾baton, and it was time for the Chinese to impress with a preview of what’s to come in four years time. It included a short Beijing Olympics promotional ³⁾clip directed by Zhang Yimo. Then a young Chinese girl sang a song of welcome to the world on top of a huge red ⁴⁾lantern.

Finally a young Greek girl blew out the Olympic flame, officially drawing to a close the 2004 Athens Games. See you in Beijing in 2008.

注释：

1) anthem [5AnWEm] n. 国歌

2) baton [5bAtEn] n. 接力棒

3) clip [klip] n. 短片

4) lantern [5lAntEn] n. 灯笼