American Olympians Get White House Send-Off
白宫为美国奥运代表队送行

　 
Members of America's Summer Olympic team are preparing to head to China after a formal send-off at the White House. President Bush says he is looking forward to joining them in Beijing.

参加中国夏季奥运会的美国代表队的成员在前往北京之前，白宫为他们举行了正式欢送仪式。布什总统说，他期待和运动员们在北京会面。

About two dozen members of Team USA went to the White House.

有大约24名美国代表队成员出席了白宫的送行仪式。

They represented all the athletes at a ceremony in the Rose Garden, where President Bush praised their accomplishments and their character.

他们代表所有运动员在白宫玫瑰园出席这个仪式，布什总统在仪式上赞扬运动员们的成绩和品德。

"In Beijing, you will also represent our nation's character," the president noted. "As ambassadors of goodwill, you will be humble in victory and gracious in defeat. And by showing respect for your competitors, you will demonstrate America's respect for the world."

布什说：“在北京，你们也将代表我们这个国家的品德。作为亲善大使，你们应胜不骄败不馁。你们尊敬竞争对手，就是在展示美国对世界的尊敬。”

About 600 U.S. athletes will compete in 30 different sports at the Games -from swimming to fencing, and from judo to gymnastics. The president noted they represent the diversity of America - a mix of races, ethnic backgrounds and ages.

在这次奥运会上，将有大约600名美国运动员参加30个项目的角逐，其中包括游泳、击剑、柔道、体操等等。布什总统指出，这些美国运动员具有广泛的代表性，来自不同种族、民族和年龄。

"Some of you are young, the youngest teammate is a 15-year-old diver, and some of you are older. There is a 58-year-old sailor, which gives this 62-year-old mountain biker hope that you may need me in Beijing," the president joked.

他说：“你们中的一些人很年青，最年青的跳水运动员只有15岁，还有一些运动员年纪稍微大一些，有一个帆船运动员已经58岁了，这给了我这个62岁的山地自行车手希望，你们在北京可能会用得着我。”

But the president's role in Beijing is more likely to be that of a sports fan and cheerleader-in-chief. He has said on numerous occasions that he is going to Beijing to support America's athletes and see some great competition.

不过，布什总统在北京的角色更可能是一位体育迷和啦啦队总队长。他在很多场合说过，他将去北京给美国运动员加油打气，并观看一些精彩的比赛。

And while his decision to attend the opening ceremonies has proven controversial, the president made clear in the Rose Garden that he is excited about the prospect of seeing the Games in person.

虽然布什总统出席北京奥运会开幕式的决定引起一些争议，但他在白宫玫瑰园清楚地表示，他为能到北京观看奥运会感到兴奋。

"Laura and I look forward to joining you for the Olympics," he said. "I am fired up to go. I cannot wait to salute our athletes, and I cannot wait to share in the joy of your triumphs. And so today we send you off with congratulations on the success you have already achieved, and on the accomplishments we know will be yours in Beijing."

他说：“劳拉和我都期待着在北京和你们见面。我已作好出发的准备，等不及向我们的运动员致敬，并分享你们胜利的喜悦。所以，今天，我们为你们送行，祝贺你们已经取得的成绩，也预祝我们知道你们在北京将要取得的荣誉。”

Critics have said the president should not attend the opening ceremonies because of the Chinese government's human rights record and its policies regarding Tibet and Darfur.

评论人士说，由于中国政府的人权记录和中国在西藏和达尔富尔问题上的政策，布什总统不应当出席奥运会的开幕式。

But members of the Olympic team who came to the White House say they cannot wait to share the experience of being at the Olympics with the president.

但是，在白宫参加送行仪式的奥运会运动员们说，他们期待着同布什总统分享参加奥运会的经历。

Kerri Walsh - a defending gold medalist in beach volleyball - says it is important to keep the true meaning of the Olympics in mind.

曾获得沙滩排球金牌的运动员克里.沃尔什说，重要的是，要记住奥运会的真正意义。

"What is amazing about the Olympic is it is a sporting event and not a political event," Walsh said. "It is when the world can come together at a peaceful event. And it is an honor that President Bush will be attending the games and will be at the opening ceremonies to represent our country."

他说：“奥运会之所以了不起，在于它是一场体育竞赛，不是政治事件。在奥运会上，世界各国聚在一起，举行一场和平盛会。布什总统出席奥运会，在开幕式上代表我们的国家，是一种荣誉。”

The Summer Olympics open August 8 in Beijing.

北京夏季奥运会将在8月8号开始举行。