VOA标准英语2008年-Golden Rain for American Beach Volleyball Duo

Americans Misty¹ May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh have won their second Olympic gold medal, defending the beach volleyball title they won four years ago in Athens, Greece. From Beijing, VOA's Jim Stevenson has more on their latest victory on the sand.
　
Misty May-Treanor (r) and teammate Kerri Walsh celebrate during the medal ceremony for women's beach volleyball at the Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground in Beijing, 21 Aug 2008

The gold medal game Thursday was played in pouring rain. But American Misty May-Treanor did not mind.

"We have seen sprinkles from time to time," she said. "And then it stops in the middle of the game. But to play in a consistent² downpour, it can make the ball a little heavier. And she served a couple into the net, and the ball just has no bounce to it. It just kind of falls over. But I told someone earlier, that is why we play in bathing suits. You never know what you are going to get."

What they got was a gold medal. The American women survived a tough match against Wang Jie and Tian Jia of China, 21-18, 21-18. The victory completed a dominating³ run as the Americans did not drop a set through the tournament.

May-Treanor, 31, and Walsh, 30, improved their overall winning streak⁴ to an astounding⁵ 108 matches at the international and domestic⁶ level. May-Treanor says their success and the sport itself has grown from the inside out.

"You know, we all get our start from the indoor game," she said. "And it is a great, great game. But, you know, we have had so many opportunities. And the beach game is growing that it does give an out for the athletes who maybe want to move on and get tired of the indoor game. Or maybe do not make teams and come out to the beach and do what Kerri and I are doing and do what we love."

May-Treanor and Walsh are both married, and are hoping to start families soon. Walsh says her plan also includes more beach volleyball.

"As long as Misty and I can manage to juggle⁷ a family. I know just speaking personally that I want to keep playing this sport for as long as possible. Being here now, we just won, I am in. Sign me up for London. I am in. I want to do it again. And I want to do it with this woman beside me. Four years goes by in a heartbeat."

And in that heartbeat, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh hope to be wearing a third consecutive⁸ Olympic gold medal.

 

1 misty   

adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的

参考例句：

• He crossed over to the window to see if it was still misty.他走到窗户那儿，看看是不是还有雾霭。
• The misty scene had a dreamy quality about it.雾景给人以梦幻般的感觉。

2 consistent   

adj.坚持的，一贯的，一致的，符合的

参考例句：

• He has been a consistent friend to the Chinese people.他是中国人民始终如一的朋友。
• His action is always consistent with his words.他始终言行一致。

3 dominating   

adj.有领导作风的；统治的，独裁的v.控制( dominate的现在分词 )；在…中占首要地位；在…中具有最重要（或明显）的特色；在…中拥有最重要的位置

参考例句：

• He is dominating and active in manner. 他有领导作风而且能采取主动。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Gradually commodity production becomes the dominating form. 商品生产逐渐地成了统治的形式。 来自英汉非文学 - 家庭、私有制和国家的起源

4 streak   

n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动

参考例句：

• The Indians used to streak their faces with paint.印第安人过去常用颜料在脸上涂条纹。
• Why did you streak the tree?你为什么在树上刻条纹？

5 astounding   

adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词)

参考例句：

• There was an astounding 20% increase in sales. 销售量惊人地增加了20%。
• The Chairman's remarks were so astounding that the audience listened to him with bated breath. 主席说的话令人吃惊，所以听众都屏息听他说。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 domestic   

adj.家里的，国内的，本国的；n.家仆，佣人

参考例句：

• This is domestic news.这是国内新闻。
• She does the domestic affairs every day.她每天都忙家务。

7 juggle   

v.变戏法，纂改，欺骗，同时做；n.玩杂耍，纂改，花招

参考例句：

• If you juggle with your accounts,you'll get into trouble.你要是在帐目上做手脚，你可要遇到麻烦了。
• She had to juggle her job and her children.她得同时兼顾工作和孩子。

8 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。