WASHINGTON, July 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush on Monday held a reception for U.S. Olympians at the White House, wishing them good luck at the upcoming Beijing Olympics.

新华社华盛顿7月21日讯——周一，美国总统布什在白宫接见美国奥运代表队，祝愿他们在北京奥运会上取得好成绩。

Speaking to dozens of the members of the U.S. Olympic team in the Rose Garden, the president said he hopes they will represent the "American character" to the world, being "humble in victory and gracious in defeat."

在玫瑰园的接待会中，布什表示，希望美国队能够向世界展示“美国性格”，“胜利不骄傲、失败仍优雅”。

"By showing respect for your competitors, you will demonstrate America's respect for the world, " he said.

“对竞争对手的尊重，就是展示美国对世界的尊重。”布什说道。

Bush also said he is very excited about attending the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics and he is "fired up and ready to go," apparently borrowing a famous phrase from U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

布什表示，他对受邀参加北京奥运会开幕式，并引用了有望成为新一任总统的民主党候选人奥巴马著名的一句话：“我已热情似火，蓄势待发。”

The U.S. Olympians presented the president a U.S. Olympic team jersey printed with "Bush 08", which Bush gladly accepted.

美国代表队将一件印有“Bush 08”字样的队服送给布什，布什欣然接受。

The president, a sports fan himself, jokingly said that if the U.S. Olympic team doesn't think he's too old, maybe he can compete in the Olympic bicycle games.

布什本人也是体育迷，开玩笑说，如果美国队不觉得他太老，可以考虑让他去参加自行车项目。

Bush will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on Aug. 8 and will probably watch some early basketball games and swimming events.

布什将出席8月8日北京奥运会开幕式，并有可能观看几场篮球、游泳比赛。