一年前的8月8日，第29届夏季奥林匹克运动会在北京国家体育场隆重开幕。今天是北京奥运会一周年的日子(One-year anniversary of Beijing Olympics )。作为语言学习者，我们忘不了张艺谋设计开幕式的大手笔之九大看点，更情有独钟国际奥委会主席罗格在开幕式上英文致辞。每读一遍、每听一次，回味无穷，欲罢不止。
他的语言如此朴实无华（学了高中英语足以读懂），精练概括，简洁优美，又富有激情和逻辑性。在短短的4分43秒不到300个字词中，内容穿越时空，涵盖面广，表达了对东道国的感激感谢和赞美之词，强调了本届奥运会的主题，对全体运动员表示欢迎也提出了希望，由奥运会的开幕回忆到奥运会的创始人，并展望奥运会的未来。彰显了他个人的风格和为人的品性，令人感到真实、真切、真情，可敬，可爱、可校，从而赢得现场一次又一次喝彩。一份经典演讲范本和一位令人难以忘怀的奥委会主席。
相形之下，刘琪的致辞不敢恭维，长而空，太多的政治色彩，浓厚的中国当代官方文风特色。
下面是罗格北京奥运会开幕式致辞全文
（Speech by Jacques ROGGE, President, International Olympic Committee, at the Opening Ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Stadium.）
Mr. President of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Liu Qi, Members of the Organizing Committee, dear Chinese friends, dear athletes:
For a long time, China has dreamed of opening its doors and inviting the world’s athletes to Beijing for the Olympic Games. Tonight that dream comes true. Congratulations, Beijing. have chosen as the theme of these Games "One World, One Dream". That is what we are tonight.
As one world, we grieved with you over the tragic earthquake in Sichuan Province. We were moved by the great courage and solidarity of the Chinese people. As one dream, may these Olympic Games bring you joy, hope and pride.
Athletes, the Games were created for you by our founder, Pierre de Coubertin. These Games belong to you. Let them be the athletes’ Games.
Remember that you are role models for the youths of the world. Reject doping and cheating. Make us proud of your achievements and your conduct.
As we bring the Olympic dream to life, our warm thanks go to the Beijing Organizing Committee for its tireless work. Our special thanks also go to the thousands of gracious volunteers, without whom none of this would be possible.
Beijing, you are a host to the present and a gateway to the future. Thank you.
I now have the honor of asking the President of the People’s Republic of China to open the Games of the XXIX Olympiad of the modern era.
责任编辑：八月骄阳
