VOA标准英语10月-Bush Welcomes US Olympic Team to White House

President George Bush welcomed the U.S. Olympic team to the White House Tuesday for a celebration of its accomplishments¹ at the Beijing Olympics. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports hundreds of athletes traveled to Washington for the event.
　

President Bush greets Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps after delivering remarks to members of Summer Olympic and Paralympic Teams, 07 Oct 2008

They filled the stairs leading up the south side of the White House, spilling over onto adjacent balconies.

President Bush stood amidst the athletes in their red and blue team jackets, and spoke² of his own memories of the games in Beijing.

He talked about the opening ceremonies in the Olympic Stadium, and how it felt to be sitting in the stands as Team USA marched onto the field.

"When the Team USA was announced, there was a notable increase in the cheers," the president noted³. "And then came the greatest sight of all - more than 500 of America's finest athletes marching behind our flag."

He said in the weeks that followed the eyes of the world were fixed⁴ on Beijing. He said America's athletes rose to the occasion.

"The Olympic team finished with the top medal count of 110 medals. But more impressive was the decency⁵ and character that these Olympics brought on the world stage," Mr. Bush said.

President Bush spoke of the victors, and those who triumphed just by trying at both the Olympic Games, and the Paralympics (for disabled athletes) that followed.

"I know you worked hard - the Olympics and Paralympic teams worked hard - to get to this moment," he said. "Whether you won a medal or not really doesn't matter in the long run. What really matters is the honor you brought to your sports, and to your families, and to your country."

Among those attending the White House event was the most decorated athlete at the Beijing games. Swimmer Michael Phelps made history in the pool when he became the first athlete to win eight gold medals at a single Olympics.

"To be here at the White house is an absolutely amazing experience," Phelps said.

President Bush said Team USA amazed the world with its talent, grace and sportsmanship. He said these athletes inspired children to chase their dreams, and will be champions forever.

1 accomplishments   

n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就

参考例句：

• It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。
• Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

2 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

3 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

4 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

5 decency   

n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重

参考例句：

• His sense of decency and fair play made him refuse the offer.他的正直感和公平竞争意识使他拒绝了这一提议。
• Your behaviour is an affront to public decency.你的行为有伤风化。