VOA标准英语2008年-China Edges US to Win Women's Team Gymnastics E

China captured the women's team gymnastics gold medal Wednesday at the Beijing Olympics. VOA Sports Editor Parke Brewer¹ reports the six-member team scored a slim victory over the reigning² world champion United States.
　
Chinese gymnast Yang Yilin celebrates after team gold medal win Wednesday, 13 Aug 2008

One day after their men won the team title, China's women also won Olympic gold, edging the United States by less than 2.5 points (188.900 to 186.525). Romania took the bronze (181.525).

Four years ago at the Athens Olympics, China did not win a single gold medal in gymnastics. Chinese coach Lu Shanzhen called this latest victory historic³.

"This gold medal means a lot to the Chinese women's gymnastics team, to the Chinese sports delegation⁴ and the Chinese nation," Lu said. "It shows that gymnastics is a very attractive sport, full of charm⁵ and excitement. We hope more Chinese girls will join the sport and China's women's gymnastics will be even stronger in a few years."

The U.S. women had been in a good position heading into the last two of the four routines, the balance beam and the floor exercises. They are usually the team's strength. But one member fell off the beam and all three of the Americans in the floor exercise made errors that cost them.

Team member Shawn Johnson said they are disappointed, but the Chinese outperformed them.
　
US gymnast Shawn Johnson talks to reporters after competition in Beijing, 13 Aug 2008

"We are still a family and still a team," she said. "And in the end, we are more than happy and proud to represent the USA wearing the silver [medal] around our necks. We respect China for what they have done. They had a great meet today and really brought their game."

The Americans, as well as the Chinese, still have many more opportunities for gymnastics gold at these Olympics. The men's and women's individual all-around champions still need to be decided⁶, as do all the individual apparatus⁷ titles.

Competition for the men's individual all-around title is set for Thursday.

 

1 brewer   

n. 啤酒制造者

参考例句：

• Brewer is a very interesting man. 布鲁尔是一个很有趣的人。
• I decided to quit my job to become a brewer. 我决定辞职，做一名酿酒人。

2 reigning   

adj.统治的，起支配作用的

参考例句：

• The sky was dark, stars were twinkling high above, night was reigning, and everything was sunk in silken silence. 天很黑，星很繁，夜阑人静。
• Led by Huang Chao, they brought down the reigning house after 300 years' rule. 在黄巢的带领下，他们推翻了统治了三百年的王朝。

3 historic   

adj.历史上著名的，具有历史意义的

参考例句：

• This is a historic occasion.这是具有重大历史意义的时刻。
• We are living in a great historic era.我们正处在一个伟大的历史时代。

4 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

5 charm   

vt.使着迷，使陶醉；n.招人喜欢之处，魅力

参考例句：

• With all imperfections the short play has a real charm.尽管有不少缺欠，这出小戏仍颇具魅力。
• He could resist her charm no longer.他再也抗拒不住她的魅力。

6 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

7 apparatus   

n.装置，器械；器具，设备

参考例句：

• The school's audio apparatus includes films and records.学校的视听设备包括放映机和录音机。
• They had a very refined apparatus.他们有一套非常精良的设备。