A veteran springboard driver, defeated by his compatriot in the finals of a world championship, offering congratulations to the victor in a warm embrace and waving a tearful farewell to the audience. An outstanding female fencer falling in a decisive set not under the attack of her rival's sword but as a result of a muscular spasm of her own.
Those are common occurrences in the athletic world but they are scenes of tragic heroism bringing tears to the eyes of the outgoing heroes as well as the audience. Sportsmen spend the best part of their lives in tough training and fierce competitions fighting or ever better records. When it becomes evident they are on the decline they still make strenuous efforts to give their best so as to bring a satisfactory end to their brilliant career.
Chances to compete for championship are few and far between. Life is short. Still shorter is the time for an athlete trying to win games. None other than an athletic contestant feels so keenly
To participate and to win-that is the Olympic spirit. It finds
相关单词：spasm
spasm解释：n.痉挛，抽搐；一阵发作
spasm例句：
When the spasm passed,it left him weak and sweating.一阵痉挛之后，他虚弱无力，一直冒汗。
He kicked the chair in a spasm of impatience.他突然变得不耐烦，一脚踢向椅子。
相关单词：athletic
athletic解释：adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的
athletic例句：
This area has been marked off for athletic practice.这块地方被划出来供体育训练之用。
He is an athletic star.他是一个运动明星。
相关单词：tragic
tragic解释：adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的
tragic例句：
The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。
相关单词：heroism
heroism解释：n.大无畏精神，英勇
heroism例句：
He received a medal for his heroism.他由于英勇而获得一枚奖章。
Stories of his heroism resounded through the country.他的英雄故事传遍全国。
相关单词：strenuous
strenuous解释：adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的
strenuous例句：
He made strenuous efforts to improve his reading. 他奋发努力提高阅读能力。
You may run yourself down in this strenuous week.你可能会在这紧张的一周透支掉自己。
相关单词：contestant
contestant解释：n.竞争者，参加竞赛者
contestant例句：
The company will furnish each contestant with a free ticket.公司将为每个参赛者免费提供一张票。
The personal appearance and interview of the contestant is another count.参加比赛者的个人仪表和谈话也是一项。
相关单词：fleeting
fleeting解释：adj.短暂的，飞逝的
fleeting例句：
The girls caught only a fleeting glimpse of the driver.女孩们只匆匆瞥了一眼司机。
Knowing the life fleeting,she set herself to enjoy if as best as she could.她知道这种日子转瞬即逝，于是让自已尽情地享受。
相关单词：luring
luring解释：吸引，引诱（lure的现在分词形式）
luring例句：
Cheese is very good for luring a mouse into a trap. 奶酪是引诱老鼠上钩的极好的东西。
Her training warned her of peril and of the wrong, subtle, mysterious, luring. 她的教养警告她：有危险，要出错儿，这是微妙、神秘而又诱人的。
相关单词：inevitable
inevitable解释：adj.不可避免的，必然发生的
inevitable例句：
Mary was wearing her inevitable large hat.玛丽戴着她总是戴的那顶大帽子。
The defeat had inevitable consequences for British policy.战败对英国政策不可避免地产生了影响。
相关单词：contentedly
contentedly解释：adv.心满意足地
contentedly例句：
My father sat puffing contentedly on his pipe.父亲坐着心满意足地抽着烟斗。
"This is brother John's writing,"said Sally,contentedly,as she opened the letter.
