1) Usain Bolt breaks the 100 meters world (record). Bolt already owned the record and in front of a packed Bird's Nest stadium he ran 9.69 seconds. He thumped his (chest) in triumph over the last few meters before his 'marksman' celebration which became one of the (lasting) images of the Games.
2) Michael Phelps roars in triumph and relief after American team mate Jason Lezak (overtook) France's Alain Bernard on the final leg of the 4x100 freestyle relay to keep alive Phelps's dream of beating Mark Spitz's record from 1972 of seven golds in a Games - a dream he was to (realize).
3) Liu Xiang (dejectedly) walks away from the track as he realizes he has to withdraw from the defense of his 110 meters hurdles title because of a leg (injury). Liu was the most popular sportsman in China and his grimacing departure clouded the Games for millions of home fans.
4) Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva turns the Bird's Nest into her (private) theatre with a gold medal and world record-breaking pole vault performance that captivated the 91,000 crowd. After she spent most of the competition (lying) under a towel, she broke her own world mark with a leap of 5.05 meters.
5) The Opening Ceremony. It was a jaw-dropping beginning to the Games, (culminating) in former gymnast Li Ning being swung up the (roof) of the stadium and 'running' around the top level before lighting the cauldron.
Question)
1. How do you think of Liuxiang’s quitting for the game?
2. And what does Lining’s performance mean?
