永远年轻 Forever young

 　　Géo André made his first appearance at the Olympics as an 18-year-old high jumper in 1908. Although his pre-Olympic best was 1.79m, in London he cleared 1.88m and earned a surprise silver medal. At the 1912 Olympics, André took part in the decathlon, the pentathlon, the high jump, the standing¹ high jump and standing long jump and the 110m hurdles². He served as a soldier during World War I and was badly injured and taken prisoner. After escaping at his sixth try, he rejoined the fight as an aviator³.

　　At the 1920 Olympics he placed fourth in the 400m hurdles and then, a week later, he won a bronze medal in the 4x400m relay. He also ran in the 400m. In 1924 the Olympics were held in André's hometown of Paris. By now he was 34 years old and André, now participating in his fourth Olympics, was chosen to take the Athletes' Oath on behalf of all the athletes. He competed again in the 400m hurdles and again he qualified⁴ for the final and placed fourth. Even after his retirement⁵ from sport, André continued to be a late achiever. Anxious to do his part in World War II, but too old to be a fighter pilot, André joined the infantry⁶ and was killed near Tunis on 4 May 1943. He was 53 years old.

　　1908年，18岁的乔治开始参加奥运跳高比赛，尽管此前他的最好成绩是1.79米,但在伦敦，他跳出了1.88米的成绩，并且意外的夺得银牌。1912年奥运会，他参加了十项全能、现代五项、跳高、立定跳高、立定跳远以及110米栏共六项比赛的争夺。第一次世界大战期间，他入伍参战，在战争中，他重伤被俘。经过六次努力后，他终于成功越狱，作为一名飞行员重新回到战场上。

　　战后的1920年奥运会上，他在400米栏项目中名列第四，一周后，他又在4x400m 接力项目中获得一面铜牌，同时他还参加了400米短跑。1924年夏季奥运会在乔治的家乡巴黎举行，此时他已经34岁了，但他仍然参加了他的第四届奥运会，并且作为运动员代表在开幕式上宣誓。这届奥运会上，他参加了400米栏的比赛，并且进入决赛，最终名列第四。第二次世界大战来临时，尽管他很热心重返战场保家卫国，但岁月不饶人，他老得无法再开飞机了，随后他加入步兵团，但1943年5月4日，不幸在突尼斯附近的战场上牺牲，时年53岁。

1 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

2 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

3 aviator   

n.飞行家，飞行员

参考例句：

• The young aviator bragged of his exploits in the sky.那名年轻的飞行员吹嘘他在空中飞行的英勇事迹。
• Hundreds of admirers besieged the famous aviator.数百名爱慕者围困那个著名飞行员。

4 qualified   

adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的

参考例句：

• He is qualified as a complete man of letters.他有资格当真正的文学家。
• We must note that we still lack qualified specialists.我们必须看到我们还缺乏有资质的专家。

5 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

6 infantry   

n.[总称]步兵(部队)

参考例句：

• The infantry were equipped with flame throwers.步兵都装备有喷火器。
• We have less infantry than the enemy.我们的步兵比敌人少。