VOA标准英语2008年-Beijing Summer Olympics Close, Baton Passed to

The 29th Olympiad has drawn¹ to a close in Beijing. The games lasted more than two weeks in the Chinese capital and other cities. VOA's Jim Stevenson has more on the closing ceremonies at China's National Stadium.
　

Fireworks explode over the National Stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic, 24 Aug 2008

The theme of the Beijing Olympics was 'One World, One Dream.' And the world did come together in competition, and for the closing ceremonies Sunday, filled with performers, music and fireworks. International Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge says victories were measured by wins, and simply by showing up.

"The games is not only about winning, not only about being triumphant² and winning gold," he said. "It is about the struggle of every athlete every day to achieve his or her own limits. And to having this resilience in saying, 'I will not give up. And I will come back.'"

Countries like Bahrain, Togo, Sudan, Mauritius and Afghanistan won their first-ever Olympic medals.
　

Jamaica's Usain Bolt, 17 Aug 2008

And the Beijing Olympics had no shortage of star performances by teams and individuals. Usain Bolt of Jamaica displayed unparalleled speed on the track on the way to winning three gold medals.

"I just blew my mind and blew the world's mind," he said.
　

Michael Phelps stands on podium for men's 4 x 100m medley3 relay swimming final medal ceremony at National Aquatics4 Center in Beijing, 17 Aug 2008

American swimmer Michael Phelps made a strong case for claiming the title of greatest Olympian of all time. He is the first athlete to win eight gold medals at a single Olympics.

"To have ups, to have downs, to go through everything and be able to accomplish everything you have ever really dreamed of. It is fun," he said.

On August 8 inside the iconic Birds Nest stadium, the opening ceremonies featured an elaborate depiction⁵ of 5,000 years of Chinese history. The closing ceremonies Sunday were a simple reflection of the Olympic spirit and the joy of competition.

U.S. silver medal fencer Erin Smart reflected the sentiment heard from many of the athletes who competed in China.

"It is really not a political event," she said. "It is about being an athlete, and bringing the most you can to the table. Whether you are the strongest or fastest, that is what we believe going into it."

And for some of the more seasoned Olympians, like American 25-year-old and 100-meter backstroke bronze medalist Margaret Hoelzer, the games have redefined their outlook on sports.

"I feel like I have gone full circle," she said. "You go from having a love of the sport, to competing and feeling pressure. And, getting older, I feel like I have almost gone back around the other half of it in getting back to that primal⁶ joy."

The Olympic flag was lowered, and handed from the mayor of Beijing to Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, which will host the 2012 Summer Games. The Olympic flame, which has burned continuously over the Bird's Nest for the past 16 days, was slowly extinguished, and fireworks lit the night sky, as the Beijing Olympics officially closed.

1 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

2 triumphant   

adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的

参考例句：

• The army made a triumphant entry into the enemy's capital.部队胜利地进入了敌方首都。
• There was a positively triumphant note in her voice.她的声音里带有一种极为得意的语气。

3 medley   

n.混合

参考例句：

• Today's sports meeting doesn't seem to include medley relay swimming.现在的运动会好象还没有混合接力泳这个比赛项目。
• China won the Men's 200 metres Individual Medley.中国赢得了男子200米个人混合泳比赛。

4 aquatics   

n.水生植物，水生动物( aquatic的名词复数 )；水上运动

参考例句：

• Pasturage breed aquatics basically has pig, ox, sheep and fowl. 畜牧养殖主要有猪、牛、羊和家禽。 来自互联网
• So in English they are National Stadium and National Aquatics Center. 这两处场馆的正式名字叫做”国家体育场”和”国家游泳中心“。 来自互联网

5 depiction   

n.描述

参考例句：

• Double rhythms, resounding through the lyric depiction and connecting with each other, indicate the thespian place of mankind and the cognition of the writer to this thespian place. 这双重旋律互为表里，表明了人类的某种悲剧性处境以及作家对这种悲剧性处境的感受和认识。
• A realistic depiction of scenes from everyday domestic life. 日常家居生活的写实画。

6 primal   

adj.原始的；最重要的

参考例句：

• Jealousy is a primal emotion.嫉妒是最原始的情感。
• Money was a primal necessity to them.对于他们，钱是主要的需要。