美国总统布什星期二在白宫欢迎美国奥运代表团，庆祝他们在北京奥运会上取得的成绩。数百名运动员来到华盛顿参加这一活动。

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

　　运动员们站满了通往白宫南面的阶梯，并且延伸到附近的阳台上。

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

　　站在这些身穿红蓝颜色队服的运动员们中间的布什总统说起他自己对北京奥运会的记忆。

　　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.

　　他谈到了在奥运体育场举行的开幕式和坐在看台上看着美国队走入会场时的感觉。

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

　　布什说：“当宣布美国队入场时，喝采声明显多了起来。然后走来的就是500多名美国最棒的运动员，前面是我们的国旗。这是所有场面中最了不起的一个。”

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

　　布什说，在接下来的几个星期，世界的目光都集中到北京。布什说，美国运动员们的表现出色。

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

　　布什说：“美国奥运队获得的奖牌数最多，达到110枚。但是这些奥运选手带到世界舞台的礼貌和品格更加令人印象深刻”。

　　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.

　　布什总统谈到了获得奖牌的运动员，以及那些(虽然没有获得奖牌但是)通过参与奥运以及随后的残奥会的运动员也同样是胜利者。

　　"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."

　　布什说：“我知道为了实现这一刻，你们比赛得很努力，美国奥运代表队和残奥代表队比赛得很努力。你们是否得到金牌长期看真的不重要。真正重要的是你们带给你们的比赛、家庭和国家的荣誉。”

　　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.

　　在参加这次白宫活动的人当中，有北京奥运会获得荣誉最多的运动员--菲尔普斯。这名游泳选手成为第一位在一届奥运会上赢得8枚金牌的运动员，从而创造了游泳历史。

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

　　菲尔普斯说：“能在白宫这儿绝对是个了不起的经历。”

　　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.

　　布什总统说，美国队的才华、优雅和运动美德让世界刮目相看。他说，这些运动员们激励著孩子们追寻梦想，永远都是冠军。