New Beijing, Great Olympics!

One World One Dream .

同一个世界、同一个梦想

From around the world to flower as one

让世界凝聚成一朵花

Friends for life　

Our friendship is everlasting.

17 days, Meeting in Beijing!

Take a Smile and Pass It On !

Smiling is the most fantastic postcard of Beijing, smiling can transport the friendship and the

passion to everybody,so smiling is the most fantastic postcard of Beijing.

china lights the Paralympic torch

残奥火炬传递大幕拉开!!

Four days after closing the 2008 Beijing Games in triumph, China lit the 2008 Paralympics torch amid pomp and ceremony at Beijing's Temple of Heaven Thursday.
周四，北京2008奥运会圆满落幕4天后，在北京天坛，中国在盛大的仪式中又点燃了2008残奥会圣火。

Hazey weather cleared enough to allow the sun to light a wick placed in a concave mirror at the front of the Prayer Hall for Good Harvests of the Temple of Heaven.
当天雾蒙蒙的，但后来天气放晴，阳光照在天坛祈年殿前一面凹透镜中，点燃了引火棒。

The flame was then passed to Beijing Olympic chief Liu Qi by Jin Jing, a Paralympic fencer whose fierce defense of the Olympic torch during the Paris leg of the global relay made her a national hero.
接着，火种由残奥会击剑选手金晶传给了北京奥组委主席刘淇。金晶在火炬全球传递巴黎站中因英勇保护火炬而成为民族英雄.

Liu passed the torch to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who lit a cauldron and announced the commencement of the relay, sparking a bombastic display of traditional Chinese dance by disabled artists.
刘淇将火炬传给了中国国家总理温家宝。温家宝点燃了圣火盆，并宣布接力开始。之后，残疾演员表演了盛大的中国传统舞蹈。

The flame will travel on Friday to ancient capital Xian, before heading to southern industrial hub Shenzhen on Saturday.

圣火周五将传往古都西安，然后周六传到南方工业重镇深圳。

The Paralympic Games will be held in Beijing from September 6-17.

残奥会将于9月6日-17日在北京召开。

my-菲尔普斯o(∩_∩)o...

君子生非异也 神奇来自个性，这就是菲尔普斯~~ 四年前他在雅典让我牢牢记住他游泳“神童”绰号！ 2008在北京他让我牢牢记住，完美的泳姿，完美的肌肉，迷人的微笑，我决定了,你是我的偶像了，永远支持你！！ 这一次，“神童”菲尔普斯有了一个新的绰号：纪录毁灭者。 我爱菲尔普斯~~ 这个事情已经全世界都知道啦~ 当菲尔普斯在“水立方”不断书写着神话的时候，各种各样的阿谀奉承接踵而至，那么是不是人人都在说“我爱菲尔普斯”呢？ 菲尔普斯的成就无需赘言，一千个人眼中就有一千个菲尔普斯。众人对他的评价不尽相同，但绝大多数人都向他奉上了喜爱和佩服的目光。说人人都爱“菲天王”都不为过。 我真想嫁给他~~ 这个事情已经全世界都知道啦~ 因为他是泳池里的幽灵啊！全世界的女孩子都想嫁给他~他实在是太帅啦~~两臂伸长有两米！！被抱着一定超舒服~~~人太太~帅~好可爱~还孝顺~还低调~ 游泳技术更是超强！！无人能敌！外星人啊！他是泳池里的幽灵啊！！ 在水立方拿得第一块金牌的时候听着国歌他热泪盈眶~结果国歌放到一半竟然戛然而止！！真是无厘头~~~可是人家菲菲只是一笑而过~真是大度！ 要是换我们在美国拿金牌是国歌没奏完~~用脚趾头想都知道中国人是什么反应。。。。。 反正加油不分国界~大家不要有那么强的民族观念哈~ 挺喜欢看菲尔普斯在泳池里穿梭，像条敏捷的飞鱼，一个来回就把对手甩下一个身位。这小子够帅、够酷、够强悍，足够吸引全世界游泳爱好者的目光。他就像电脑游戏中的闯关者，没有对手，自己和自己比，他的任务就是通过八道考验获得大满贯。目前他已经顺利通过了3道关口，但前途多艰，任何一点儿失误都会让他的奥运之旅出现遗憾，或许这正是菲尔普斯最迷人之处。 菲尔普斯好张扬，菲尔普斯好骄傲，但菲尔普斯的“张扬”和“骄傲”所代表的力量，是自我、自信、乐观、快意、不断超越……人人都应有梦想。梦想能否最终实现，那是另一回事；追求梦想的过程，就是人生的最大幸福。 我提他高兴，他不仅在奥运会上的8金梦想实现，而且在奥运会的金牌总数提高到了14枚，达成了他人难以超越的“世界纪录”。 世界上只有他一个人!~~~~~~~菲尔普斯o(∩_∩)o~~~~~~~

Bolt, Phelps and China shine as Games lives up to motto

更快更高更强 博尔特、菲尔普斯和中国光彩四射

BEIJING (Reuters) - Athletes at the Beijing Games lived up to the Olympic motto 'Faster, Higher, Stronger' and none more so than swimmer Michael Phelps and sprinter Usain Bolt。

Jamaican Bolt, celebrating his 100 meters world record before he had even finished his gold medal-winning run, provided the most striking image but Phelps's eight gold medals in the pool are likely to be regarded as the most enduring feat of the games。

American Phelps beat compatriot Mark Spitz's record of seven golds in a single Games, which had stood since 1972。He broke four individual world records and took part in three record-breaking relays。

北京奥运会的参赛运动员实现了“更快、更高、更强”的奥运理想，这在美国泳将菲尔普斯和牙买加短跑好手博尔特身上体现得最为明显。

牙买加博尔特在男子100米决赛中还没有冲过终点，就开始庆祝胜利，为本届奥运会留下了最令人惊叹的画面。但在16天赛程中，菲尔普斯的八枚金牌可能才是最令人难忘的成就。

美国人菲尔普斯一举打破了美国前辈施皮茨单届奥运独揽七金的纪录，这一纪录1972年以来从未被打破。他还刷新了四项个人项目世界纪录，并参与了三项接力纪录的缔造。

Michael Phelps Leaning Mandarin

Michael Phelps-Prepares for Beijing

lauren jackson and yao ming deep hug

仔细一看，是姚明，和传说中暗恋他的澳大利亚的美女中锋劳伦杰克逊。

只见该美女主动走向姚明表示友好，并亲热地拥抱了一下。

这一幅有意思的画面，让观看者不由地觉得十分和谐。

这体现了本届奥运“同一个世界，同一个梦想”的主题！

也体现了中华民族对于来自世界各地的人民的友好和热情！

Lauren Jackson secret love yao ming sweet five seconds global broadcast!

Yao Ming gave Australian basketball player and WNBA star Lauren Jackson a deep hug during 2008 Olympics closing ceremony sunday night in Beijing. Some rumors even had her saying those three exact words "I love you".

Latasha Norman was an old black student from Jackson State University in Mississippi who has just crossed 20 years of her age. She was the young lady who went missing for a week before she was found murdered. According to Bridget Johnson at Pajama Media, there are dozens of victims including names like Chandra Levy, Elizabeth Smart, Laci Peterson or Natalee Holloway whose cases have been ignored as they were denied proper media coverage. Lauren Conrad and Brody Jenner have reportedly broken up. The two were seeing each other as said by Brody Jenner some time back. Jenner declared in a new furniture collections launch party in Los Angeles that he and Lauren Conrad, the star of The Hills, were not together anymore. Hazel Gordy is the daughter of the legendary record producer in America, Berry Gordy, who is also the founder and owner of the music company Motown records and its many other subsidiaries. She is also famously known as the wife of Jermaine Jackson, the American Grammy nominated singer cum bass guitarist. Janet Jackson Feedback is the latest hip-hop number from this renowned singer in the year 2008. It was slated for release in the month of February that year. But it got leaked before it hit the stores.

2008年8月24日晚上八点，第29届夏季奥林匹克运动会闭幕式在北京国家体育场---“鸟巢”举行。在盛大的开场舞后，各国旗手首先举各国国旗入场，然后是各国运动员奔入场内，他们并没有像开幕式一样顺序入场，而是不分国籍的一起奔入场内，认识的不认识的都一起合影留念，他们随着音乐跳跃、起舞，对着摄像机飞吻、做鬼脸，闭幕式就像一个盛大的派对！在2004年雅典奥运会闭幕式上，刚刚曝光了自己恋情的姚明大胆地牵着女朋友叶莉的手步进场内，当时这个大胆的举动也预示这姚明向全世界公开俩人的关系。而在今天的闭幕式上，姚明却在众目睽睽之下被自己的追求者劳伦-杰克逊拥吻了。历史总是那么巧合，姚明也因此再度成为奥运会闭幕式上的焦点。

甜蜜五秒竟被全球直播

中国代表团最吸引眼球的要数姚明，他在刘炜等中国队友的陪伴之下出场。凭借着两米二六的身高，巨人姚明立即成为场上焦点。姚明一边走向场馆中心，一边通过摄像镜头向全世界观众招手示意。正当此时，忽然有一名异国女子走到姚明身边。这名外国女选手见到姚明兴奋异常，她上前与姚明窃窃私语。并趁着姚明未来及防备之际，成功拥吻了比自己高出一个头的中国大个子。这名热情开放的美女是何方神圣？据查实她是澳大利亚女子篮球队的球星劳伦·杰克逊。对于突如其来的“桃花运”，姚明确实显得措手不及。5秒钟的拥抱让这位金发美女意犹未尽，她还想跟姚明搭讪，但含羞的姚明见被电视镜头抓拍，连忙闪到了一边，美女只能悻悻离去，离别之际劳伦·杰克逊抚摸了一下姚明。全世界守在电视机前观看奥运闭幕式的人们都看到了这甜蜜的一幕。
杰克逊暗恋 大姚多年

劳伦·杰克逊是澳大利亚女子篮球队的队员，现在效力于WNBA的西雅图风暴队，司职前锋，曾经荣膺WNBA的最有价值球员（MVP）。作为著名的“姚蜜”，劳伦·杰克逊曾经明确表示自己喜欢姚明。在姚明与叶莉恋情已经浮出水面的情况下，杰克逊还曾当众向姚明“示爱”，主动邀请姚明约会，但遭到姚明的拒绝。27岁的杰克逊在本届奥运会场均上场27分钟，得到18分7.4个篮板0.8次助攻，堪称当今女子篮坛的超级巨星。

劳伦·杰克逊这么一抱还真惹出不少话题。真不知道姚太太叶莉会不会吃醋了，估计要等姚明回家之后才知道了。

Zai jian from the Bird's Nest

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

BEIJING - AUGUST 24: Fireworks ignite over the National Stadium during the Closing Ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 24, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

BEIJING -- Several minutes of massive fireworks. A frenzy of dancing and flag-waving around and on the memory tower.

And it's over.

The ceremony is over. The 2008 Beijing Olympics are over.

"Good night, everyone," the announcer says over the big speakers.

Hard to believe. I was there in Moscow in 2001 when China was awarded these Games.

It has been an incredible ride.

I will, of course, be glad to be back home in California. But, truly, I will be sad to leave Beijing and China. At the risk of repetition: it has been a privilege to be a part of chronicling these "truly exceptional" Olympics. We are not likely to see another quite like them.

Curtain call: all the performers pour onto the field for the final number.

Oh, wait: just as at the opening ceremony, there's Jackie Chan singing. Again. I never thought I would write, "Jackie Chan is singing," once in my life, much less twice.

More singing.

Wei Wei, China's biggest pop star and Sun Nan, a Chinese singer and songwriter. They belt out "To Overcome."

Placido Domingo comes next, along with Chinese actress and singer Song Zuying.

They're performing a song called "The Flame of Love."

Domingo is of course one of the so-called "Three Tenors," along with Luciano Pavarotti and Jose Carerreras. Remember Pavarotti singing at the ceremonies in Torino in 2006?

No knock on "The Flame of Love." Me, I'll take "Whole Lotta Love."

We shoulda known. Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" was blasting out over the speakers here at the Bird's Nest Friday night, at the conclusion of the evening's track and field.

And here we -- Joe Battaglia and I, the two of us with the pleasure and privilege of covering track with both here and at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore. -- thought someone in China was just a Zep fan.

Now time for what's called the "carnival" part of the show, and it kicks off with a song that those of us here have heard repeatedly, day after day, "Beijing, Beijing, I love Beijing."

It's one of those bouncy songs that you can't get out of your mind. Until you stop hearing it, and then you can't remember even one note. Which I suppose is songwriting genius of a sort.

The memory tower walkers are now rappelling down from the top of the tower. Some are zipping down to the far reaches of the field via guy wires. Again, incredible.

The tower, whihc looks like a non-leaning tower of Pisa, is now revealed to be filled with hundreds of people on its sides, some dressed mostly in red clingly uniforms and baseball hats, some in shiny metallic uniforms.

They perform outrageously an exquisite synchronized ballet on, around, atop and over the tower. An idea outrageous in its imagination, stupendous in its execution.

Their display is followed by the appearance of 16 huge "lucky cloud yarn strips" that extend from the memory tower over the field.

As the Olympic cauldron is extinguished, flashlights go on throughout the audience, purporting to signify that the flame lives on.

Outside the Bird's Nest, it's time for a barrage of fireworks.

A boarding ramp like those that ferry passengers from an airport terminal onto an airliner appears. Flight display info appears on the big screens.

An athlete about to leave walks up the ladder. He slowly takes out a scroll and unfolds it and -- a huge mechanical device, dubbed a "memory tower," arises in the center of the field as the screens circling the rim display images taken from the competition and scenes here at the 2008 Games.

Oh, wait. What's a party without David Beckham?

Becks is atop the bus, too. He kicks the soccer ball. A Chinese guy recovers it. Excellent souvenir, I guess -- if you're among those who can't get enough Beckham, no matter what.

Illuminated umbrellas are now flashing on the side of the bus as it heads for the tunnel under the stadium.

Here comes an iconic red London double-decker bus onto the field.

Here are medal-winning British cyclists, including Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton.

A crowd of folks, meant to evoke a busy London street, gathers in front of the door to the bus.

The crowd parts. Out comes 9-year-old Tayyiba Dudhwala, chosen from contestants on a popular British TV program; she meets Erika Tham. Erika is of Chinese, Canadian, Malaysian and Ukrainian heritage. Tayyiba hands a soccer ball to Erika.

Meanwhile, the top of the bus opens and out pops British pop star Leona Lewis (her dress created by students at the London College of Fashion).

And who's this, Led Zeppelin freaks? Jimmy Page, and he's riffing. Whole lotta love, indeed, while Leona is singing, "Way down inside ... gonna give you my love."

Maybe Zeppelin will re-reunite in time for those 2012 Games?

To reiterate that prediction: London's got the makings of a big party.

The Olympic hymn is sung -- by 226 children.

Beijing Mayor Guo Jinlong and London Mayor Boris Johnson take center stage for the hand-over of the Olympic flag, 2008 to 2012.

How in the world is London supposed to top Beijing?

Rogge was asked that at a news conference earlier Sunday. His answer:

"It is clear China has put the bar very high. It's going to be a challenge for London but also for all subsequent Games. I believe and I hope London can even put the bar higher," adding a moment later, "I believe London has unique assets."

A prediction: London is more likely to have the feel of a big party, the way it was in Sydney in 2000.

Rogge, speaking from the stage at the center of the stadium, says of the 2008 Olympics, "These were truly exceptional Games!"

Unlike his predecessor, Juan Antonio Samaranch of Spain, Rogge does not bestow titles upon each edition of the Games such as "best-ever."

Rogge described the 2004 Athens Olympics as "unforgettable, dream Games."

He called the 2006 Torino Winter Games "truly magnificent Games," the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games "superb Games."

Rogge was elected IOC president in 2001. He has one more year to run on his eight-year term; he is widely expected to run for a second term which by IOC rule is limited to four years. That election will take place in 2009.

Walking in now, the four new members of the IOIC athletes' commission who, by extension, are also now IOC members.

None is an American. The U.S. delegation within the IOC is due now to shrink to two, since Bob Ctvrtlik's eight-year term as athlete delegate comes to a close with the end of the 2008 Games; he had been elected in Sydney in 2000.

The two remaining Americans in the IOC: Anita DeFrantz of Los Angeles; Jim Easton of Van Nuys, Calif.

Ctvrtlik remains an important figure in IOC politics and is a key figure in Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Games. The IOC will pick the 2016 city in 2009. The other three cities in the 2016 mix: Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, Madrid.

The four new athlete reps: Moon Dae-Sung, a South Korean taekwondo player; Alexander Popov, the Russian swimming legend; German fencer Claudia Bokel; and Yumilka Ruiz, a Cuban volleyball star and two-time gold medalist.

The U.S. candidate in the athlete elections here at the Beijing Games, soccer star Julie Foudy, was not among the top four vote-getters. Current or recently retired athletes are eligible; candidates must have been nominated by their national Olympic committee.

Frankie Fredericks of Namibia, the four-time Olympic silver medalist in the sprints, is the new chair of the athletes' commission.

Rehearsals for this closing ceremony have gone on for nearly a year; volunteers attended their first group rehearsal in September, 2007.
Practices were held miles away from the Bird's Nest.

The medals ceremony for the men's marathon, run earlier Sunday, won by Kenya's Samy Wanjiru, that nation's first marathon gold.

His time, 2:06.32, eclipsed the Olympic record by three minutes.

Kenya won five gold medals here in Beijing -- their best-ever Olympic performance.

Jaouad Gharib of Morocco won silver, Tsegay Kebede of Ethiopia bronze.

Reflecting the import of the marathon in Olympic history and protocol, the medals are being presented by International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge and Lamine Diack, president of track and field's governing body, the International Assn. of Athletics Federations.

The athletes of the world are flooding the floor, entering the stadium from its four corners. No marching tonight behind one's own flag. There's a lot of picture-taking down there, a lot of video camera-ing, too.

This particular tradition began at the 1956 Summer Games in Melbourne, Australia. Olympic lore holds that a 17-year-old Chinese-Australian boy named John Ian Wing suggested to organizers that having all the athletes together at the closing cereremony, without regard to nationality, would "make these Games even greater."

The flagbearers of the 204 national Olympic committees that took part here are entering, half from one side of the stadium (led by Greece), half from the other (led by Saudi Arabia). The Chinese are, of course, last to enter.

The American bearer: Khatuna Lorig, an archer who finished fifth here, who won team bronze in 1992 competing for the Unified Team in the aftermath of the break-up of the Soviet Union.

Now come 60 "light wheels." Each has a diameter of 2.008 meters. Each gives off fluorescent light. They're rolling around the stadium floor between the silver belles.

The belles bells are now illuminated, too, and they're now lined up in radiating wave lines.

The first act of the ceremony is, as might be expected, spectacular.

In the center of the stadium, in a circle, 200 red- and yellow-clad drummers are banging away. Surrounding them in a concentric circle, precisely 1,148 women in yellow dresses wearing row upon row of silver bells.

Eight drum carts carry more performers onto the stage. Eight rotating poles are swing across the field. Sixty light wheels and 200 "flying men" join in.

More fireworks go off atop the stadium rim, tracing a circle -- there you go again -- around the Bird's Nest.

Traditionally, the closing ceremony is not designed to strike the same awe as the opening ceremony -- as if anything could top the Aug. 8 opening here, anyway.

This will be, by design, more of a party atmosphere here tonight. The themes of the ceremony: harmony, friendship and joy.

It's now 8 p.m. sharp and the first fireworks are going off in a circle all around Olympic Green, reds, greens, hyellow, pinnks, purples. The circle is a symbol of harmony and renewal in Chinese culture.

Only 6,800 performers will take part in tonight's closing ceremony. The opening ceremony featured 15,000 performers. There is not one -- repeat, not one -- repeat performer between the two ceremonies.

It is with genuine melancholy that I am back in my position here at the Bird's Nest tonight, 16 nights after being here for the first time for the opening ceremony.

I have been in this seat night after night this past week for track and field. Here, 11 rows up from the stadium field, right on the finish line, is where I saw Usain Bolt set three world records, saw LaShawn Merritt run to victory in the 400m. And so much more.

Before that, I watched every single one of Michael Phelps' races, every single competition of artistic gymnastics.

And more.

I said coming here that these would be extraordinary Olympics. These Games have produced 40 world records, 120 Olympic records.

It has been a privilege to be here to bear witness to history.

Copyright 2008 NBC Universal. All rights reserved. Any use, reproduction, modification, distribution, display or performance of this material without NBC Universal's prior written consent is prohibited.

Proud China brings curtain down on epic Games

史无前例的北京奥运落幕

Flagbearers take part in the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium August 24, 2008.

Fireworks explode during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium August 24, 2008.

The flags of (L-R) Greece, the Olympics, China and Britain are raised during the closing ceremony at the National Stadium for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 24, 2008.

London's Mayor Boris Johnson waves the Olympic flag during the closing ceremony in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 24, 2008.

BEIJING - The Beijing Olympics ended with a blaze of deafening fireworks on Sunday, bringing down the curtain on a Games that dazzled the world with sporting brilliance and showcased the might of modern day China.
北京奥运会周日在阵阵耀眼的礼花中落幕，东道主向世界奉出了一届史无前例的奥运赛事，展示了一个崛起的现代中国。
版主点评：中国已经向全世界，向中国人民证明，我们有能力承办一届史无前例的奥运会，在短短的17天内，我们做到了，北京奥运会将以历史上最伟大奥运会之一的印象，长久留在人们的记忆中。

Country caps 16 days of competition;

Olympics transition to 2012 in London

BEIJING - With help from British star power, China concluded its debut as Olympic host Sunday after 16 days of near-flawless logistics and superlative athletic achievement — coexisting awkwardly with the government’s wariness of dissent and free speech.

A spectacular closing ceremony opened with torrents of fireworks and included a pulsating show-within-a-show by London, host of the 2012 Games. From a stage formed from a red double-decker bus, Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page played classic rock hit “Whole Lotta Love” and soccer icon David Beckham booted a ball into the surrounding throng of athletes on the stadium floor.

Then more lyrical music returned, and the Olympic flame atop the stadium was extinguished। A carnival-themed segment completed the show, featuring a duet by Spanish tenor Placido Domingo and Chinese soprano Song Zuying. There was another, noisier barrage of fireworks and confetti filled the air.

博尔特：我是世界第一

Move over Michael Phelps, the Beijing Olympics has an-other superstar.

菲尔普斯热刚过去，北京奥运会又诞生了一位超级巨星。

Usain Bolt blazed into the Olympic history books last night, becoming the first man to break world records while winning both 100m and 200m races at a single Games.

乌塞恩•博尔特昨晚载入奥林匹克史册，成为第一位在一届奥运会上获得100米、200米短跑双料冠军并打破世界纪录的运动员。

The Jamaican broke the world record by winning the 200m in 19.30sec, becoming also the first man since American Carl Lewis in 1984 to sweep the 100m and 200m gold medals at an Olympics.

这位牙买加选手以19秒30的成绩打破了200米短跑世界纪录，并成为1984年以来继美国运动员卡尔•刘易斯之后，第一个在奥运会上独揽男子100米和200米两枚金牌的选手。

Bolt, who turns 22 today, took the top spot on the heels of his win in the men's 100m on Saturday.

今天刚满22岁的博尔特上周六刚刚夺得100米短跑金牌，紧接着，200米的金牌也到手了。

He bettered his own world record in that race by winning in 9.69sec, despite slowing down over the final 20m to showboat.

虽然他为了表现自己的实力在最后20米的时候开始减速，但最终还是以9秒69的成绩摘走了金牌，并刷新了自己创造的世界纪录。

The performance marked the sprinter as one of the breakthrough stars of these Summer Games, who is ensured that when highlight films of the Beijing Games are rolled in years to come, Bolt and Phelps, the US swimmer who won a record eight gold medals in the pool, will share the top billing.

博尔特的精彩表现使他成为夏季奥运会上众多的新星之一，同时也让人们相信，几年后记录北京奥运会精彩片段的影片问世时，他将和夺得8枚金牌的美国游泳健将菲尔普斯一样耀眼。

Bolt, whose father says owes his speed and power to the local yam vegetable, yesterday showed what he can do when he runs at full speed all the way, lunging at the finish line to eclipse the old record of 19.32sec set by American Michael Johnson at the 1996 Atlanta Games. "He is Superman 2," Johnson said after he saw his record fall.

昨天，博尔特充分展现了自己的实力，他以全速的奔跑和强力的冲刺刷新了由迈克尔•约翰逊在1996年亚特兰大奥运会上创造的19秒32的世界纪录。约韩逊在看见自己的记录被打破后说：“他简直就是超人二号。” 博尔特的父亲透露说他的速度和力量都来源于他们家乡的番薯。

All too far behind the Jamaican, Churandy Martina of the Netherlands Antilles took silver in 19.82sec. Defending champion Shawn Crawford of the US got bronze at 19.96sec.

其他的选手被博尔特远远地甩在了后面，荷属安的列斯选手许兰迪•马丁纳以19秒82的成绩获得银牌，卫冕冠军美国选手肖恩•克劳福德则以19秒96获得铜牌。

Once he saw his record finish, Bolt fell to the track, his giant legs and arms pointing out.

看见自己创造的新记录，博尔特张开硕大的四肢，直挺挺的躺倒在跑道上。

"I am No 1 I am No 1!" the world's fastest man declared to TV audiences as he beat his chest and blew kisses at the 91,000 crowd in the Bird's Nest, before continuing with his victory lap.

接着，这位世界飞人一边捶打着胸膛，向鸟巢91000名观众抛出一记飞吻，一边向电视观众宣告：“我是世界第一，我是世界第一！”随后，他绕场一圈，庆祝自己的胜利。

Think it Over (好好想想)

Today we have higher buildings and wider highways,but shorter temperaments and narrower points of view;

今天我们拥有了更高层的楼宇以及更宽阔的公路，但是我们的性情却更为急躁，眼光也更加狭隘；

We spend more,but enjoy less;

我们消耗的更多，享受到的却更少；

We have bigger houses,but smaller famillies;

我们的住房更大了，但我们的家庭却更小了；

We have more compromises,but less time;

我们妥协更多，时间更少；

We have more knowledge,but less judgment;

我们拥有了更多的知识，可判断力却更差了；

We have more medicines,but less health;

我们有了更多的药品，但健康状况却更不如意；

We have multiplied out possessions,but reduced out values;

我们拥有的财富倍增，但其价值却减少了；

We talk much,we love only a little,and we hate too much;

我们说的多了，爱的却少了，我们的仇恨也更多了；

We reached the Moon and came back,but we find it troublesome to cross our own street and meet our neighbors;

我们可以往返月球，但却难以迈出一步去亲近我们的左邻右舍；

We have conquered the uter space,but not our inner space;

我们可以征服外太空，却征服不了我们的内心；

We have highter income,but less morals;

我们的收入增加了，但我们的道德却少了；

These are times with more liberty,but less joy;

我们的时代更加自由了，但我们拥有的快乐时光却越来越少；

We have much more food,but less nutrition;

我们有了更多的食物，但所能得到的营养却越来越少了；

These are the days in which it takes two salaries for each home,but divorces increase;

现在每个家庭都可以有双份收入，但离婚的现象越来越多了；

These are times of finer houses,but more broken homes;

现在的住房越来越精致，但我们也有了更多破碎的家庭；

That's why I propose,that as of today;

这就是我为什么要说，让我们从今天开始；

You do not keep anything for a special occasion.because every day that you live is a SPECIAL OCCASION.

不要将你的东西为了某一个特别的时刻而预留着，因为你生活的每一天都是那么特别；

Search for knowledge,read more ,sit on your porch and admire the view without paying attention to your needs;

寻找更我的知识，多读一些书，坐在你家的前廊里，以赞美的眼光去享受眼前的风景，不要带上任何功利的想法；

Spend more time with your family and friends,eat your favorite foods,visit the places you love;

花多点时间和朋友与家人在一起，吃你爱吃的食物，去你想去的地方；

Life is a chain of moments of enjoyment;not only about survival;

生活是一串串的快乐时光；我们不仅仅是为了生存而生存；

Use your crystal goblets.Do not save your best perfume,and use it every time you feel you want it.

举起你的水晶酒杯吧。不要吝啬洒上你最好的香水，你想用的时候就享用吧！

Remove from your vocabulary phrases like"one of these days"or "someday";

从你的词汇库中移去所谓的“有那么一天”或者“某一天”；

Let's write that letter we thought of writing "one of these days"!

曾打算“有那么一天”去写的信，就在今天吧！

Let's tell our families and friends how much we love them;

告诉家人和朋友，我们是多么地爱他们；

Do not delay anything that adds laughter and joy to your life;

不要延迟任何可以给你的生活带来欢笑与快乐的事情；

Every day,every hour,and every minute is special;

每一天、每一小时、每一分钟都是那么特别；

And you don't know if it will be your last.

你无从知道这是否最后刻。

伊拉克运动员：奥运重在参与

并非所有人的奥运梦想都是在赛场上摘金夺银。有这样一群运动员，他们的奥运之路充满了艰辛：他们没法正常训练，他们没有比赛服，他们甚至连自己的生命安全都得不到保障。北京奥运会上，田径女运动员达娜•侯赛因，男子皮划艇选手诺扎德和侯赛因代表伊拉克参赛。他们没能获得奥运奖牌，但他们却最好地诠释了是“重在参与”的奥运精神。

Not all Olympic dreams are about winning gold medals. For some competitors, like the three who represented Iraq at the Beijing Games, simply taking part is reward enough.

"It is the dream of every Iraqi athlete and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of the Games," Tiras Anwaya, chef de mission of the Iraqi team, told China Daily yesterday.

"We have done our best," he said.

"Being part of the Beijing Olympic family was the most important thing for us."

Iraq was represented by rowers Haidar Nozad and Hamzah Hussein Jebur in the men's double sculls, and by Dana Hussein in the women's 100 m and 200 m.

While no one was expecting any of them to win a medal, Nozad and Jebur managed a creditable 14th place, while Hussein was eliminated in the first round of both sprints.

Iraq has in fact won only one Olympic medal - a bronze in the lightweight division of the men's weightlifting at the Rome Games of 1960 - since making its debut in London in 1948.

The Iraqi trio was given the go-ahead to compete in Beijing only at the last minute, when the International Olympic Committee lifted the bans it had imposed on the country in May due to its government's "serious interference" in the country's Olympic affairs.

Anwaya said he was delighted when he was told the good news.

"When we heard, we were so happy we rushed out and booked our flights," he said.

For Hussein, competing in Beijing was the fulfillment of a sporting ambition.

"I am so proud to have represented Iraq in the Olympics," she said.

"This was my dream. If I had been told I couldn't compete, I would have been devastated," the 21-year-old said.

What made Hussein's participation even more impressive was that she arrived at the Olympic Village without any running shoes.

Thankfully, Song Wei, who works at the village heard about her plight and supplied her with a pair of spikes.

"When I heard that the athletes from Iraq and Cambodia had no proper running shoes, I felt so sad," Song said.

Now the Iraqi athletes are out of the Games, Anwaya said they will visit the Forbidden City and the Great Wall before heading home.

"We hope Iraq is peaceful when we return," he said.

"And we also hope we will be able to take part in the next Olympics in 2012 in London."

菲尔普斯：同一个世界同一个亲吻

NONSENCE：一直觉得美国人做这种传媒娱乐的东西，绝对是不遗余力且创意十足。把新闻采访间搬到地球反面国度的体育场外，一群疯狂粉丝作为背景观众形成天然的玻璃墙，真是令人叫绝。而且感觉他们真的做得很用心

NBC电视台的新闻节目《今日秀》在鸟巢外露天采访菲尔普斯

Olympic superstar, Michael Phelps, who ①rocked the swimming world (and the 2008 Beijing Summer Games) by winning eight gold medals, was on the Today show where he was greeted by enthusiastic fans. One girl even carried a sign that said “My Olympic Dream. Kiss Michael Phelps. One world, one kiss.” ②Hilarious!
　　勇夺八金，震撼世界泳坛，震撼2008北京夏季奥运会。奥运巨星迈克·菲尔普斯上《今日秀》节目之时受到了广大热情粉丝的欢迎。甚至有个女孩儿还打出标语：“我的奥运之梦，亲吻菲尔普斯。同一个世界，同一个亲吻。”搞笑！

又见菲尔普斯

The latest headlines from BBC World News.

The Russian commander of frontline forces in Georgia has told the BBC that a gradual pull-out of Russian forces from Georgia is underway. Major General Vyacheslav Borisov said he had given the order for Russian soldiers to be replaced by peacekeepers.

The US presidential candidates who've been talking about religion and personal values are tried to win over Christian voters. Barack Obama defended same-sex civil unions but said marriage should be between a man and a woman. John McCain repeated his opposition to abortion.

Talks aimed at resolving Zimbabwe’s crisis are continuing in Johannesburg. Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said they're going very well.

At the Olympics in Beijing, the American swimmer Michael Phelps has made history by becoming the first competitor to win 8 gold medals at a single games.

Well those are the latest headlines from BBC World News.

Phelps writes Games gold history

Michael Phelps at the end of the 200m butterfly

race yesterday, breathing heavily,

rubbing his eyes and hanging

on to the lane rope. His goggles filled with water at the start.

菲尔普斯：一手夺金一手破记录

Michael Phelps swam into Olympic history yesterday, becoming the athlete to win the most gold medals ever.

迈克尔•菲尔普斯昨天“游”进了奥运史册，成了奥运史上获得金牌最多的运动员。
And he did it swimming blind.

而且，他还是闭着眼睛“游”进去的。

A day after etching his name alongside Mark Spitz and Carl Lewis, Paavo Nurmi and Larysa Latynina with gold No 9, the American claimed the record all to himself when he won the 200m butterfly at the Water Cube.

一天前他才刚刚斩获第九枚奥运金牌，与名将马克•斯皮茨、卡尔•刘易斯、帕沃•鲁米、拉里莎•拉特尼娜齐名，而当他在水立方拿下200米蝶泳金牌之后，就只剩下他一个人独领风骚了。

A problem with his goggles, however, meant that he swam most of the race without knowing what was going on around him.

不过，由于他的泳镜出了点问题，他的大部分赛程是在不了解周围状况的情况下完成的。

Said Phelps of his leaky goggles: "I dove in and they filled right up with water. It got worse and worse as the race went on."

菲尔普斯在谈到他漏水的泳镜时说：“我刚跳入水中，泳镜就进满了水。而且比赛越往后，进的水越多。”

Phelps said he kept track of where he was between the walls by counting strokes.

他说他全靠数自己划水的次数来判断自己所处的位置。

"There was nothing I could do about it. I couldn't rip them off. (He was wearing two caps and the straps of the goggles were tucked in between them.) I just had to go on swimming.”

我完全拿它没办法。我不可能把它扯下来（他戴了两顶泳帽, 镜带夹在两顶泳帽中间。）我只能继续游下去。”

"At the 150 meter wall to the finish, I couldn't see the wall. I was hoping I was winning and hoping I would touch the wall first."

“最后50米的时候，我连泳池壁都看不到了。我只希望我能赢，希望自己能第一个到达终点。”

Not only did he touch it first, he did it in world record time, his fourth gold and fourth world record at Beijing.

结果，他不仅第一个到达终点，而且还打破了世界纪录，这是他在北京拿的第四块金牌，同时也是他创造的第四项世界纪录。

He was timed 1 min 52.03 sec, lowering his old mark of 1:52.09 from the 2007 World Championships. Laszlo Cseh of Hungary took the silver. Takeshi Matsuda of Japan got the bronze.

他用时1分52秒03，刷新了他在2007年世界锦标赛上创造的1分52秒09的成绩。匈牙利选手拉斯洛•切赫和日本选手松田丈志分别获得该项目的银牌和铜牌。

There was a trace of disappointment when he said: "I wanted a world record, I wanted 1:51 or better, but in the circumstances not too bad I guess." Anyway, he had no such worries in his second race of the day, the 4x200m men's freestyle relay.

菲尔普斯不无遗憾地说道：“原本我希望以1分51秒或更好的成绩打破世界记录，但在那种情况下能游出这样的成绩我觉得也还不错了。”不过，在之后的第二场比赛、男子4x200米接力中，上述遗憾已经不复存在了。

Phelps set a blistering pace of 1:43.31 that got the Americans rolling toward a world record time of 6:58.56.

菲尔普斯以惊人的速度在第一棒就游出了1分43秒31的成绩，带领美国队以6分58秒56的成绩冲破了世界记录。

Russia took the silver, more than five seconds behind the Americans, who mainly had to make sure they didn't jump in the water too soon. Australia won the bronze.

认为自己入水速度不够快的俄罗斯队落后美国队五秒多，最终获得银牌；澳大利亚队获得铜牌。

Phelps has three more races left: The 200m individual medley, 100m butterfly and 4x100m medley relay.

接下来，菲尔普斯还将参加200米个人混合泳、100米蝶泳以及4x100米混合泳接力的比赛。

"There is still something left in the tank," Phelps said. "I've got three races left, so there had better be something left in the tank."

他说：“泳池里还有很多项目等着我呢，我还要参加三项比赛，希望我还能再创造点什么。”

Young, Happiness , Secret of success

There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success: First, you have to laugh and find humor every day; Second, you have got to have a dream. When you lose your dream, you will die; Third, there is a huge difference between growing old and growing up; Growing old is mandatory, and growing up is optional; Fourth, have no regrets. The only people who fear death are those with regrets; 要想保持年轻，过得幸福并取得成功只有四条秘诀： 一，每天都要笑，每天都要找到幽默； 二，一定要有梦想，失去了梦想，人就如同死了一般； 三，变老和成熟是有巨大区别的。衰老是无法抗拒的，而成熟是可 以选择的； 四，不要后悔，只有充满遗憾的人才惧怕死亡。

to like the people

I've looked to you so many times to see your happy smile.

我曾经多少次想到你幸福的微笑.

I've come to you for company to talk a little while.

我曾经伴你享受相对细语的美妙.

I've laughed with and shared with you a world of special things.

我曾经和你一起欢笑.说不完的温馨.

I've learned from you the precious joys thst only love brings.

我曾经得到你只有爱情带来的欢欣.

There's no one who is quite like you,

没有那样像你的人,

for no one else could be as thoughtful in as many ways as you have been to me...

因为没有人能够像你那样对我体贴入微.

and no one else could do and say the special things you do or ever mean as much to me..

也没有任何人的一言一行能像你的言行那样叫我刻骨铭心

There's no one quite like you.

没有那样像你的人

Phelps becomes most successful Olympian ever

Phelps, who won six golds in Athens,
will compete for a historic eight in Beijing.I too like Phelps,
I like to watch him swim, charm the feeling, if I can see Phelps ,
I will scream ！Phelps, you dream of getting closer,
the eight gold medal is yours! Come on!

Born: June 30, 1985 Baltimore, MD

Hometown: Baltimore, MD

Residence: Ann Arbor, MI

Ht: / Wt: 6'4" / 195 lbs

Olympics: 2004, 2000

Event(s): 200m free, 100m fly, 200m fly, 200m IM, 400m IM, 4x100m free relay, 4x200m free relay, 4x100m medley relay .


Attack on the record books
Michael Phelps is five-for-five in Beijing, winning gold and setting the world record in each of his events. In his first, on Aug. 10, Phelps won the 400m IM in 4:03.86, more than a second faster than the record he set a month earlier at Olympic Trials. The next day, Phelps and the U.S. team squeaked out a win in the 4x100m freestyle relay. Phelps' leadoff leg of 47.51 was an American record, but anchor Jason Lezak dove in with more than a half-second deficit. Lezak posted the fastest relay split in history, 46.06, to catch Frenchman Alain Bernard for the win, by just .08 of a second. Phelps easily won the 200m free, for his third gold in Beijing and his record-tying ninth career gold. But he wasn't tied for long, as the next morning, Phelps won two more gold medals: first, in the 200m butterfly, where the race was tighter than expected. But the only race in the 4x200m freestyle relay was for second, as the U.S. men, with Phelps leading off, broke the record by more than four seconds and beat the field by more than five.

Quest for eight, Part II

In Beijing, Michael Phelps will have the chance to at least match the record eight medals (six gold, two bronze) that he won in Athens. Phelps fell one gold short of matching Mark Spitz's record seven, won in 1972, but still matched the single-games total record with eight. That missing gold could come in the 200m freestyle, in which Phelps took bronze in Athens. This time, he enters the 200m as the favorite, having broken Ian Thorpe's world record at the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne. Phelps also holds the world record in three other individual events: 200m fly, 200m IM and 400m IM.

Golden guy

Phelps won seven gold medals (200m free, 100m fly, 200m fly, 200m IM, 400m IM, 4x100m free and 4x200m free) and set five world records (200m free, 200m fly, 200m IM, 400m IM and 4x200m free) in one of the most dominant swimming performances ever at the 2007 Worlds. All of the individual event world records that Phelps broke were his own, except for the 200m freestyle, where he shattered Ian Thorpe's mark from 2001. Phelps shaved .2 of a second off Thorpe's time and won the race by almost 2.5 seconds.

Stuck at seven

Phelps did not get the chance to race for an eighth gold at Worlds in the final event, the 4x100m medley relay, because the U.S. team was disqualified in the preliminaries, in which he did not swim. Teammate Ian Crocker left the blocks .01 of a second too soon for his leg, and the false start cost the U.S. a spot in the final. It was the first time the U.S. did not swim in a relay final in the history of world championships.

Physical advantage

At first glance, Phelps might look like a typical swimmer. But several of his physical characteristics seem genetically tailored for swimming. His 6-foot-7-inch wingspan is three inches longer than his height, providing him with unusual reach. His torso is long compared to his legs, enabling him to ride high on the water. And his flexible ankles, combined with size-14 feet, allow for a powerful kick. Add to that more than a decade of high-intensity training, and you get one of the fastest swimmers in history.

On his own

After Athens, Phelps enrolled as a student at Michigan, moving away from home for the first time. During his first year living alone, he had to make some adjustments and learn a few quick lessons. Phelps once filled up his dishwasher with hand soap and came home to find his floor covered in suds. He also had trouble eating his first bowl of cereal after he realized he hadn't purchased any bowls, so he ate the cereal with milk out of a Gatorade bottle. Phelps is unable to compete for Michigan because of his professional status, but he works as a volunteer assistant with University of Michigan swim team.

To the Wolverines

At Michigan's Club Wolverine, Phelps trains with numerous other elite swimmers: Olympians Erik Vendt, Peter Vanderkaay and Kaitlin Sandeno, as well as hopefuls Davis Tarwater and Chris Dejong. Under Bob Bowman, who has been Phelps' coach since he was 12 years old, the atmosphere is intense and the training tough. Bowman had a countdown clock installed in the pool to mark the days until Beijing, as a daily reminder of the swimmers' ultimate goal.

'Bullet' heading home

Bowman announced in April 2008 that he was leaving Michigan and returning to Baltimore after Beijing to serve as CEO of North Baltimore Aquatic Club. Phelps, who is nicknamed the "Baltimore Bullet," will return home as well after four years in Ann Arbor. Phelps and Bowman met at NBAC, which is also where Katie Hoff trains.

Early bloomer

Phelps made his Olympic debut in Sydney at age 15 when he qualified for the 200m fly by finishing second at U.S. Trials -- a result he wasn't exactly expecting. "At first I couldn't really believe it. I thought I saw it and had to take my goggles off to really see," Phelps said of the race. He was the youngest man on the U.S. swim team, but despite his age and lack of international experience, he made the final in Sydney and finished fifth. Five months after that race, Phelps became the sport's youngest male world-record holder when he claimed the 200m fly mark.

Sibling stimulus

Phelps appeared at the 1996 Olympic Trials as a 10-year-old, not to swim but to support his sister, Whitney. When she finished sixth in the 200m butterfly final and missed making the team, the family cried in the stands. "It left a scar on our family," Michael says. Whitney's career was cut short by four herniated discs, but Michael says he lives by her example. From the time he was little, he remembers how he would hear her door shut and the car start before dawn as she made her way to practice. Phelps has another sister, Hillary, who swam for the University of Richmond.

'Limitless potential'

Following his sisters to the pool, Phelps began swimming at age 7 when he joined North Baltimore Aquatic Club. He met Bowman four years later, and Bowman immediately recognized his ability. "There was nothing holding him back, at that time or now," Bowman said. "I felt that when I saw him as a younger swimmer, that he had limitless potential." Bowman even met with Phelps' parents when he was 12, explaining that he could potentially make the Olympics in 2000 and even set 2004 and 2008 as targets.

Maxim of love

I love you not because of who you are,

but because of who I am

when I am with you.

我爱你，不是因为你是一个怎样的人，

而是因为我喜欢与你在一起时的感觉。


No man or woman is worth your tears,

and the one who is ,won't make you cry.


没有人值得你流泪，值得让你这么做的人不会让你哭泣。


The worst way to miss someone is to

be sitting right beside them

knowing you can't have them.


失去某人，最糟糕的莫过于，

他近在身旁，却犹如远在天边。


Never frown,even when you are sad,

because you never know

who is falling in love with your smile.

纵然伤心，也不要悉眉不展，

因为你不知是谁会爱上你的笑容。


To the world you may be one person,

but to one person you may be the world.


对于世界而言，你是一个人；

但是对于某人，你是他的整个世界。

Don't waste your time on a man or a woman,

who isn't willing to waste their time on you.


不要为那些不愿在你身上花费时间的人而浪费你的时间。


Just because someone doesn't love you

the way you want them to,doesn't mean

they don't love you with all they have.

爱你的人如果没有按你所希望的方式爱你，

那并不代表他们没有全心全意地爱你。


Don't try to hard,the best things come

when you least expect them to.

不要着急，最好的总会在最不经意的时候出现。


Maybe god wants us to meet a few wrong

people before meeting the right one,

so that when we finally meet the person,

we will know how to be grateful.


在遇到梦中人之前，上天也许会安排我们先遇到别人；

在我们终于遇见心仪的人时，便应当心存感激。



Don't cry because it is over,

smile because it happened.


不要因为结束而哭泣，微笑吧，为你的曾经拥有。

人生剪彩

Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you do hold well.
人生不在于拥有好牌，而在于打好你手中的牌。

Life is a process of accumulation. And you may fall sometimes, but even if you fall, you should understand how to grasp some sand in your hand.
人生是一个积累的过程。你总会摔倒，即使摔倒，也要懂得抓一把沙子在手里。

Life is like music. It must be composed by ear, feeling and instinct, not by rule.
人生如一首乐曲，要用乐感，感情和直觉去谱写，不能只按乐律行事。

Life is like a dog-sled team. If you aren't in the lead, the scenery never will change.
人生像狗拉雪橇，如果你不是领头犬，风景永远不会改变。

Bush Wraps Up Olympic Visit, Stresses Ties to China

Bush Wraps Up Olympic Visit, Stresses Ties to China

布什强调继续加强美中关系重要性

U.S. President George Bush is stressing the importance of continued American ties with China, saying while there are disagreements, there are also important areas where the two countries can work together. He spoke on the final day of his stay at the Beijing Summer Olympics.

正在北京观看奥运会的美国总统布什强调继续加强美中关系的重要性，他指出，尽管存在分歧，但两国间也有可以共同合作的重要领域。布什是在北京停留的最后一天说这番话的。

Mr. Bush spent his last hours in Beijing watching swimming and baseball, and reflecting on his visit to the Chinese capital.

布什总统离开北京前，最后观看了游泳和篮球比赛，并谈到他这次对中国首都访问的感想。

During an interview with America's NBC television network, he talked about the changes that have taken place in China since the 1970's when his father was a top U.S. diplomatic in Beijing. And he offered some advice for his successor: move quickly to build a cooperative but candid relationship with Chinese leaders.

布什总统在接受美国全国广播公司电视采访的时候谈到中国1970年代以来发生的变化。他的父亲老布什总统当时是美国驻华首席外交官。布什总统给他的继任者提出衷告说，应当迅速与中国领导人建立合作但同时是坦诚的关系。

It's really important for future Presidents to understand the relationship between China and the region, and it's important to make sure that America is engaged with China - even though we may have some disagreements, he said.

布什说：“未来的总统要了解与中国和这个地区的关系，这的确很重要。尽管我们可能有一些分歧，但美国与中国保持接触非常重要。”

Mr. Bush said he brought up areas of disagreement during his talks in Beijing with Chinese President Hu Jintao. But he also stressed that by working together on sensitive international issues, the United States and China can make a big difference.

布什总统说，他在北京同胡锦涛主席谈话时提出了双方存在分歧的领域。但是他同时强调指出，通过在敏感的国际问题上进行合作，美国和中国可以带来重大的改变。

I think you ought to look at the relationship as one of constructive engagement where you can find common areas, like North Korea and Iran, but also be in a position where they respect you enough to listen to your views on religious freedom and political liberty, Mr. Bush said.

布什说：“我认为，应当把这种关系看作是建设性接触，我们可以找到共同领域，例如北韩和伊朗，但同时要使自己处于这样一种地位，使他们对你有足够的尊重，会在宗教自由和政治自由等问题上倾听你的看法。”

During his stay in China, President Bush attended Sunday worship services at a state-registered church, rather than a so-called underground church, which operates without government approval. He defended his decision to pray there, saying it gave him a venue to make an important point.

在中国停留期间，布什总统星期天在一个中国政府认可的教堂，而不是所谓的家庭教会，做了礼拜。他为自己在那里做礼拜辩护说，这使他有机会强调一个重要问题。

It gave me a chance to say to the Chinese people, religion won't hurt you, you ought to welcome religious people, he said. And it gave me a chance to say to the government, why don't you register the underground churches and give them a chance to flourish?

布什说：“这使我有机会告诉中国人民，宗教不会伤害你们，你们应当欢迎信教的人。这使得我有机会告诉中国政府，你们为什么不接受地下教会注册，让他们有机会发展壮大呢？”

Mr. Bush said he came to Beijing to cheer on the American Olympic team, but also to show his respect for the Chinese people. He said China is a big, important nation, and in order to find common ground and overcome disagreements, it is necessary for the United States and China to respect each other.

布什说，他到北京是为了给美国奥运代表队加油，但也是为了表示对中国人民的尊重。他说，中国是一个重要的大国，为了寻找共同点、克服分歧，美国和中国应当相互尊重。

Phelps begins record bid with Olympic best

Michael Phelps of the U.S. holds his gold medal

after winning the men's 400m individual medley

swimming final at the National Aquatics

Center during the Beijing 2008

Olympic Games August 10, 2008.

August 10 morning, the U.S. men's 400 famous

Phelps was mixed swimming champion.走向领奖台

的他将手中的鲜花送给,今日特意来到水立方观看

比赛的总统夫人劳拉.

BEIJING, China (AP) -- Swimmer Michael Phelps opened his quest to win eight gold medals by qualifying 1.44 seconds faster than his rivals with an Olympic-record time in the 400-meter individual medley preliminaries on Saturday night.

Michael Phelps is seeking to better the seven gold swimming medals won by compatriot Mark Spitz in 1972.

The American won his heat in 4 minutes, 7.82 seconds -- 44-hundredths of a second better than his gold-medal-winning time four years ago in Athens.

Phelps was under his world-record pace after 150 meters of the four-stroke race, but eased off to save something for Sunday morning's final.

"I am pretty surprised," he said. "I didn't think that I'd be first to get it, not until the finals."

Laszlo Cseh of Hungary, the bronze medalist in Athens, was second-fastest in 4:09.26. Luca Marin of Italy was third in 4:10.22, and American Ryan Lochte qualified fourth in 4:10.33.

Katie Hoff, who like Phelps qualified in five individual events, opened her ambitious schedule as the second-fastest qualifier in the women's 400m IM. Hoff, the world record-holder, was timed in 4:34.63 -- 0.08 second behind U.S. teammate Elizabeth Beisel.

Phelps walked onto the deck of the Water Cube for his first of his 17 races overall in front of 17,000 fans, who were mostly quiet. If they were aware of Phelps' attempt to break Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals in a single games, it was not apparent.

He wiped down the starting block in lane four with a white towel as Lochte churned through the final meters of his heat. Phelps first stretched his right leg on the block, then his left before removing his ear buds and getting ready to qualify in the evening -- a switch from the traditional Olympic program of morning prelims and evening finals.

Phelps and Lochte went 1-2 at the U.S. trials, with the good friends both going under world-record time. Phelps set the world mark of 4:05.25, while Lochte's time was the second-fastest ever. Phelps beat Lochte at last year's world championships by more than three and a half seconds.

Still, Lochte is considered a threat to Phelps' gold rush in both the 400m and 200m IMs.

"It's going to be a tough one, but I'm sure going to give him a run for his money," Lochte said. "If I'm right there with him, then that's pressure."

Beisel led the way in the women's 400m IM in 4:34.55. At 15, she is the youngest member of the U.S. team, the same position Hoff was in four years ago.

"I do get a little bit jittery thinking about it," Beisel said. "Tomorrow I'm sure I will really be on edge."

Nerves got the better of Hoff in Athens, where she did not advance out of the prelims and vomited on the deck. This time, she kept her cool.

"It was definitely on my mind a little bit. It can't not be," she said. "To come back and swim a smart race, I'm really happy with it."

Stephanie Rice of Australia, who owned the 400m IM world record earlier this year before Hoff took it back, tied Alessia Filippi for third. China's Li Xuanxu also advanced to the final.
Alexander Dale Oen matched Phelps in one respect. The Norwegian set an Olympic record of 59.41 in the 100m breaststroke prelims, ahead of defending champion Kosuke Kitajima of Japan, who touched in 59.52.

American Brendan Hansen tied for 10th in 1:00.36, failing to break a minute in his world-record event; he owns the five fastest times ever in the event. Hansen surprisingly failed to qualify in the 200m breaststroke, leaving him with just one chance to avenge his 2004 Olympic loss to rival Kitajima.

"I don't want to be in lane four (given to the fastest swimmer)," Hansen said. "I don't swim well when I'm the center of attention."

American Mark Gangloff grabbed the 16th and last spot for the semifinals.

China had a strong showing in front of its red flag-waving, chanting fans.

The host country qualified fastest in the women's 400m freestyle relay, touching in 3:36.78 and causing raucous cheers. The quartet of Zhu Yingwen, Tang Yi, Xu Yanwei and Pang Jiaying waved as they walked off the deck.

Germany were second ahead of the U.S. team of Kara Lynn Joyce, Julia Smit, Emily Silver and Lacey Nymeyer, who were third in 3:37.53.

China also advanced swimmers to finals in the women's 400m IM and men's 400m freestyle, and the women's 100m butterfly semifinals.

The crowd initially came alive for the women's 100m butterfly, where China sent out its first two swimmers of the competition. Zhou Yafei tied American Christine Magnuson for second-quickest in 57.70 seconds. Leading the way was Jess Schipper of Australia in 57.58.

"It's always great to get the first race over and done with," Schipper said. "But a few things went wrong there and still going in fastest qualifier for the semifinal, it's great to know that I have something to improve on."

The other Chinese, Xu Yanwei, was 32nd and did not advance to the semifinals. Neither did Otylia Jedrzejczak of Poland, the silver medalist in Athens who finished 0.04 second out of the 16th and last spot.

American Elaine Breeden moved on, as did world champion Libby Trickett of Australia, who was 12th.

"I was expecting to be faster," Trickett said. "Obviously having the heats at night shakes things up a little bit. I know I have more than that in me."

American Larsen Jensen advanced to the 400m freestyle final as the fastest qualifier in 3:43.10.
"I knew I had to go fast," he said. "I didn't want to take any chances with the last heat going all best times, leaving me out in the dust. I'm going to have a double shot espresso tomorrow morning and I'll be ready."

China really had something to cheer and wave its flags about when countryman Zhang Lin outtouched world champion Park Tae-hwan of Korea to win his heat. Zhang was second overall in 3:43.32. Park was third in 3:43.35.

Grant Hackett will try to give Australia its third consecutive victory in the 400m free, but he will have to make up time in the final after advancing in fifth place at 3:44.03. Compatriot Ian Thorpe won it in 2000 and 2004, but has since retired.

"I knew it would be quick, but not quite that quick," Hackett said. "It's going to be interesting in the morning."

Also advancing were American Peter Vanderkaay and Ous Mellouli of Tunisia, returning to the Olympics after serving an 18-month suspension for a positive drug test.

U.S. women give China double dose

By Alastair Himmer

BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States inflicted a double dose of basketball blues on Olympic hosts China when their women’s team powered to a 108-63 blowout win on Monday.

Just 24 hours after Yao Ming and his troops were pulverized by the U.S. men, the Chinese women were given the runaround by an American team chasing a fourth straight Olympic title.

China led 11-8 in the first quarter but the U.S. went on a 25-0 run to end the half, sparked by forward Tina Thompson, who finished with 27 points, 21 of them before intermission.

“Tina was hot, hot, hot!” said U.S. centre Lisa Leslie, a three-times gold medalist. “Tonight was Tina’s night. But the crowd was cheering so hard every now and then we had to check the score … then we went, ‘Yeah, we’re still up by 30’.”


Out-muscled and unable to penetrate the American defense, China resorted to launching long bombs but connected on just four of 16 three-pointers in a one-sided Group B encounter.

WNBA rookie sensation Candace Parker drew roars from the crowd of 16,000 by slam-dunking the ball during the warm-up but turned down a chance to shake the rim during the game.

“Oh God! I just didn’t want to get hung on the front of the rim,” Parker said. “I didn’t say we’re not going to see a dunk these Olympics but I was underneath the basket—there was no way I was going to go up there and embarrass myself.”

European champions Russia survived a scare against South Korea before coming through 77-72 to make it two wins out of two in Group A.

American-born Becky Hammon, whose controversial decision to play for Russia upset many of her countrywomen, had 10 points despite struggling to understand her coach’s instructions.

“Most of the girls speak English so it’s been fine,” she said. “As for the coach? We’re working on it.”

World champions Australia overcame Brazil 80-65 led by 18 points from forward Laura Summerton in Group A.

The Czech Republic thrashed Mali 81-47 and Spain beat New Zealand 85-62 in Group B games while Belarus beat Latvia 79-57 in Group A.

Li Ning lights up Olympic cauldron

This television grab taken from Chinese television channel CCTV on August 8, 2008 shows an aerial view of fireworks lighting up the sky after Former Chinesegymnastics champion Li Ning lit the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, also known as the "Bird's Nest".The three-hour show is set to see more than 15,000 performers showcase the nation's ancient history and its development.

Fireworks are set off as the Olympic cauldron is lit during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium August 8, 2008. The stadium is also known as the Bird's Nest.
The torch of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games is lit at the National stadium in Beijing during the opening ceremony of the Games on August 8, 2008.

Former Chinese gymnast Li Ning carries the Olympic flame as he is lifted to the air during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium August 8, 2008.

The Olympic Flame is transported around the top of the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, August 8, 2008.