VOA标准英语2010年-Canada Bids Farewell to Winter Olympic

Canadians are known for a having a good sense of humor - and that was on full display during the closing ceremony.  Because one of the special hydraulically-powered arms of the Olympic cauldron malfunctioned¹ during the opening ceremonies, the closing ceremonies began with a mime² pretending to fix the broken arm.

Catriona Le May Doan of Canada - who was supposed to light the malfunctioning³ cauldron arm 17 days ago - emerged from the stage with the Olympic torch and ignited the cauldron. 

The program continued with a salute⁴ to the Canadian hosts, including more than 1,000 young people on stage with specially-crafted snowboards forming geometric shapes and the Canadian flag. The athletes then paraded into the stadium.

The program then turned to the next Olympic host - Sochi, Russia.  The Russian program included maestro Valery Gergiev conducting in Vancouver, with the orchestra in Red Square in Moscow and ice dancers in Sochi, the site of the 2014 Games. 

Vancouver Organizing Committee head John Furlong told the thousands gathered and a worldwide television audience that Canadians are stronger, more in love with their country and more connected than every before because of the games.  He made a special point of acknowledging the nation of Georgia, which lost slider Nodar Kumaritashvili in a fatal accident the day of the opening ceremony.

IOC President Jacques Rogge of Belgium praised the athletes and organizers for putting together a successful Olympics.
 
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Neil Young, a Canada native, sang "Long May You Run" as the ceremony drew to a close and the cauldron was extinguished.  A special program featuring actors William Shatner, Michael J. Fox, and comedian⁵ Catherine O'Hara saluted⁶ the hosts with a special presentation of "I am a Canadian."

The ceremony ended with a concert featuring Canadian performers, including Michael Buble, Nickelback, Alanis Morissette, Avril Lavigne, Marie-Mai and hip-performers k-os and XSS (Xtreme Soul Style).  The next Winter Games begin in Sochi, Russia, February 7, 2014.
 

1 malfunctioned   

发生故障(malfunction的过去式与过去分词)

参考例句：

• Is there any way the dye pack malfunctioned back at the bank? 什么能使爆色板在银行内就失效？ 来自电影对白
• The malfunctioned roller of his mouse is under repair. 他鼠标的滚轴失灵了，正在修呢。 来自互联网

2 mime   

n.指手画脚，做手势，哑剧演员，哑剧；vi./vt.指手画脚的表演，用哑剧的形式表演

参考例句：

• Several French mime artists will give some lectures this afternoon.几位法国哑剧表演艺术家将在今天下午做几场讲座。
• I couldn't speak Chinese,but I showed in mime that I wanted a drink.我不会讲汉语，但我作摹拟动作表示要一杯饮料。

3 malfunctioning   

出故障

参考例句：

• But something was malfunctioning in the equipment due to human error. 但由于人为的错误，设备发生故障了。 来自超越目标英语 第4册
• Choke coils are useful for prevention of malfunctioning electronic equipment. 扼流圈对于防止电器设备的故障很有帮助。 来自互联网

4 salute   

vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮

参考例句：

• Merchant ships salute each other by dipping the flag.商船互相点旗致敬。
• The Japanese women salute the people with formal bows in welcome.这些日本妇女以正式的鞠躬向人们施礼以示欢迎。

5 comedian   

n.喜剧演员；滑稽演员

参考例句：

• The comedian tickled the crowd with his jokes.喜剧演员的笑话把人们逗乐了。
• The comedian enjoyed great popularity during the 30's.那位喜剧演员在三十年代非常走红。

6 saluted   

v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂

参考例句：

• The sergeant stood to attention and saluted. 中士立正敬礼。
• He saluted his friends with a wave of the hand. 他挥手向他的朋友致意。 来自《简明英汉词典》