Kenya honors sports heroes

 NAIROBI, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Sports personalities¹ led by the captain of the Kenyan team to the London 2012 Olympics, David Rudisha, were honored as the country celebrated² its second Mashujaa (Heroes) Day on Saturday.

In his address to the nation, Kenya's President, Mwai Kibaki, paid homage³ to the achievements in the field of sport with special mention to the Olympic and world 800m record holder⁴ Rudisha.

"During the recently concluded Olympics and Paralympics Games held in London, our athletes won a total of four gold, six silver and seven bronze medals. We commend them for their work and commitment.

"Moreover, I congratulate the captain of our Olympics team, David Rudisha as well as Samuel Muchai and Abraham Tarbei for winning gold medals and breaking world records," Kibaki said in his speech.

Muchai and Tarbei set world records at the Paralympics Games while Rudisha broke his own benchmark of 1:41:01 when he ran 1:40.91 in a glittering individual performance that was hailed as one of the signature acts on the London Olympics track and field roster⁵.

"Our athletes have been some of our most effective ambassadors. They have carried Kenya's good name to all parts of the world. When we hear our national anthem⁶ played in different parts of the world, this gives us great pride as Kenyans," he said.

"In the world of sports, Kenyans are proud of our athletes who continue to bring us glory in various competitions around the world," the Head of State told the nation.

During the colorful cerebrations of the national holiday previously⁷ known as Kenyatta Day that renamed Mashujaa in 2010, decorated retired⁸ athletes formed part of the dazzling parade at the fete held in Nairobi.

Among them were 1988 Olympic champion and five-time World Cross champion, John Ngugi, Robert Ouko and Charles Asati who were in the 4X400m relay quartet that won gold at the 1972 Munich Olympics Games, Rose Tata Muya and 1987 World marathon titleholder, Douglas Wakiihuri.

The sports personalities later joined other former and current national heroes at a reception at the seat of government, State House Nairobi where they were hosted by President Kibaki to a reception.

1 personalities   

n. 诽谤，（对某人容貌、性格等所进行的）人身攻击； 人身攻击；人格, 个性, 名人( personality的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There seemed to be a degree of personalities in her remarks.她话里有些人身攻击的成分。
• Personalities are not in good taste in general conversation.在一般的谈话中诽谤他人是不高尚的。

2 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

3 homage   

n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬

参考例句：

• We pay homage to the genius of Shakespeare.我们对莎士比亚的天才表示敬仰。
• The soldiers swore to pay their homage to the Queen.士兵们宣誓效忠于女王陛下。

4 holder   

n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物

参考例句：

• The holder of the office of chairman is reponsible for arranging meetings.担任主席职位的人负责安排会议。
• That runner is the holder of the world record for the hundred-yard dash.那位运动员是一百码赛跑世界纪录的保持者。

5 roster   

n.值勤表，花名册

参考例句：

• The teacher checked the roster to see whom he would teach this year.老师查看花名册，想了解今年要教的学生。
• The next day he put himself first on the new roster for domestic chores.第二天，他把自己排在了新的家务值日表的第一位。

6 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

7 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

8 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。