Low form keeps Beckham out of Olympic team

 LONDON, July 2 (Xinhua) -- British sport sensation¹ David Beckham was not given the chance to play for his home team in the upcoming London Olympic Games because of low form.

British Olympic football coach Stuart Pearce Monday told reporters at a news conference that Beckham's current form did not convince² him.

"I don't think there's a football manager around who picks on sentiment," said Pearce. "My opening gambit to all the players was there are no guarantees. They have to come through the door on form and form alone."Beckham, 37, was told by Pearce on Thursday that he did not make the 18-man team as the three over-age places allowed at the Olympic tournament instead went to Beckham's former teammate, Ryan Giggs of Manchester United, Liverpool forward Craig Bellamy and Manchester City defender³ Micah Richards.

1 sensation   

n.感觉，感知力，激动，轰动

参考例句：

• He lost all sensation in his legs through cramp.他的腿部因抽筋而失去知觉。
• Seeing him again after so many years was a strange sensation.那么多年以后又见到他，是一种不可思议的感觉。

2 convince   

vt.使确认，使信服；使认识错误

参考例句：

• It requires a lot of talking to convince him.要说服他很费口舌。
• I have given over trying to convince him.我已经不再试图说服他了。

3 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。