VOA标准英语2008年-Slovenia Wins First Olympic Swimming Medal

Winning a gold medal is often considered the standard of excellence¹ at the Olympics. But as VOA's Jim Stevenson reports from China, sometimes placing second is a huge victory.
　
Sara Isakovic, 13 Aug 2008

Often buried behind the headlines of world records and well-known athletes are the stories of first-time medalists at the Olympics. In Beijing, Sara Isakovic added her name and her country to the list.

"This is the first time in Slovene swimming that someone has achieved a medal," she said. "And it is a big honor² for me."

Isakovic won the European title in the 200-meter freestyle earlier this year. On Wednesday, she was the silver medalist in the event. She finished only 0.15 of a second behind the world record set by Italian Federica Pellegrini in the race. Isakovic touched the wall in 1:54.97.

"I really gave out all my best until my last molecule³ of energy," she said. "So I just tried to finish it. And I was second. If maybe you are thinking I am disappointed for not winning gold, totally not. Because a silver medal is a huge achievement for me."

Isakova says friends and family were getting up at three in the morning local time in Slovenia to watch her race.

"I have many supporters from all around the world too," said Isakovic. "I know my ex-schoolmates watched me. Also in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, England, also in Serbia since I am half Serbian. My whole family there supported me. So it means a lot to them of course."

Following her silver medal performance, Isakovic is already thinking of an upgrade⁴.

"Definitely⁵ in the next Olympics, I am going for gold," she said.

And should she qualify⁶ for the 2012 London Games, her family will likely not have to cope⁷ with as large a time difference to watch her.

 

1 excellence   

n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德

参考例句：

• His art has reached a high degree of excellence.他的艺术已达到炉火纯青的地步。
• My performance is far below excellence.我的表演离优秀还差得远呢。

2 honor   

n.光荣；敬意；荣幸；vt.给…以荣誉；尊敬

参考例句：

• I take your visit as a great honor.您的来访是我莫大的光荣。
• It is a great honor to receive that prize.能拿到那个奖是无上的光荣。

3 molecule   

n.分子，克分子

参考例句：

• A molecule of water is made up of two atoms of hygrogen and one atom of oxygen.一个水分子是由P妈̬f婘̬ 妈̬成的。
• This gives us the structural formula of the molecule.这种方式给出了分子的结构式。

4 upgrade   

vt.提高，加强，改善；n.提高，改善

参考例句：

• We need to upgrade the status of teachers.我们需要提升老师的地位。
• To upgrade a clerk to manager.将办事员提升为经理。

5 definitely   

adv.一定地，肯定地；明确地，确切地

参考例句：

• The team will definitely lose if he doesn't play.如果他不参加比赛，这个队肯定会输。
• I shall definitely be home before six o'clock.6点以前，我一定回家。

6 qualify   

vt.取得资格，有资格，限定，描述；vi.取得资格，有资格

参考例句：

• I won't qualify until next year.我明年才具备资格。
• You must qualify yourself for the post.你必须使自己具备担任这一工作的资格。

7 cope   

v.(with)竞争，对抗；对付，妥善处理

参考例句：

• He had a lot of work,but he was able to cope.他的活虽多，但还能应付得来。
• They have to cope with a mountain of problems.他们得应付成堆的问题。