VOA标准英语2008年-Jamaica, Afghanistan and Host China Score Olymp

Jamaican runners had another impressive day at the track in Beijing, as they continued to dominate the short sprint¹ events. VOA's Jim Stevenson has more on Wednesday's Olympic results, highlighted by a new master of speed.
　
Usain Bolt celebrates after winning men's 200-meter final

Usain Bolt left no doubt that he is the world's fastest man. After easily winning the 100-meter race on Saturday, Bolt again pulled away from the pack in his specialty² at 200-meters. Along with another gold medal, Bolt now has the world record of 19.30 seconds and says it is a great win for Jamaica.

"It means a lot to me. And I know it means a lot to the country also because I talked to the prime minister. And he told me every inch in Jamaica is blocked off pretty much. Everybody is in the streets. It means a lot to me. I have written history. So I am happy with myself. I am really proud," he said.

Two disqualifications put Americans Shawn Crawford and Walter Dix onto the medal podium with the silver and bronze respectively.

Another Jamaican, Melanie Walker, was the winner of the women's 400-meter hurdles³ with an Olympic record of 52.64. Walker says all of the Jamaican runners are a close group.

"We all practice together. So we know who will perform well. But it is at the time when you are supposed to do it, hopefully some people will hold it together and do it. Because they are all good," she said.

Aksana Miankova of Belarus took home gold in women's hammer throw. Miankova says she was originally picked for a completely different sport.

"I was selected for rowing. But when I arrived to the rowing venue⁴ and I saw the ice, and I saw the rowers who were rowing in the ice, and well, I did not like it. And then my coach offered me to throw hammer. And I agreed because I like to throw hammer," she said.

Guillermo Perez of Mexico won the gold medal in the 53-kilo weight class of taekwondo, giving Yulis Gabriel Mercedes of the Dominican Republic the silver. Rohullan Nikpai took the bronze to give Afghanistan its first ever Olympic medal. And he did it by defeating world champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain. The women's 49-kilo division went to Wu Jingyu of China.

Yin Jian won China's first ever sailing gold medal while New Zealand also finished in front in a men's race.

Wrestling golds went to Turkey and Russia. The Russians also topped the competition in the duet free routine final of synchronized⁵ swimming. In the open water, Brazilian Ana Cunha was the first to complete the long 10-kilometer swim.

Elsewhere in men's basketball, American Kobe Bryant scored 25 points to lead five Americans in double figures as the United States scored a 116-85 quarterfinal win over Australia.

Host China has 45 gold medals overall along with 14 silver and 20 bronze to easily top the standings. The United States follows with 26 gold while Britain has 16.

 

1 sprint   

n.短距离赛跑；vi. 奋力而跑，冲刺；vt.全速跑过

参考例句：

• He put on a sprint to catch the bus.他全速奔跑以赶上公共汽车。
• The runner seemed to be rallied for a final sprint.这名赛跑者似乎在振作精神作最后的冲刺。

2 specialty   

n.(speciality)特性，特质；专业，专长

参考例句：

• Shell carvings are a specialty of the town.贝雕是该城的特产。
• His specialty is English literature.他的专业是英国文学。

3 hurdles   

n.障碍( hurdle的名词复数 )；跳栏；（供人或马跳跃的）栏架；跨栏赛

参考例句：

• In starting a new company, many hurdles must be crossed. 刚开办一个公司时，必须克服许多障碍。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• There are several hurdles to be got over in this project. 在这项工程中有一些困难要克服。 来自辞典例句

4 venue   

n.犯罪地点，审判地，管辖地，发生地点，集合地点

参考例句：

• The hall provided a venue for weddings and other functions.大厅给婚礼和其他社会活动提供了场所。
• The chosen venue caused great controversy among the people.人们就审判地点的问题产生了极大的争议。

5 synchronized   

同步的

参考例句：

• Do not use the synchronized keyword in Managed Objects. 不要在管理对象上使用synchronized关键字。 来自互联网
• The timing of the gun was precisely synchronized with the turning of the plane's propeller. 风门的调速与飞机螺旋桨的转动精确同步。 来自辞典例句