U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Visit White House
(Photo courtesy of TEAMUSA.ORG)
Sept. 14, 2012
U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Celebrate London 2012 With a White House Visit
WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed more than 400 members of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams to visit the White House today. The post London 2012 Games celebratory meeting was held on the South Lawn.
The United States Olympic and Paralympic teams have much to celebrate. The final medal count was remarkable. The U.S. Olympic Team won 104 total medals, including 46 golds, 29 silvers and 29 bronzes. The U.S. Paralympic Team collected 98 total medals, including 31 golds, 29 silvers and 38 bronzes.
USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said, “On behalf of the United States Olympic Committee, I want to thank President Obama and Mrs. Obama for welcoming these great Olympians and Paralympians to the White House today to commemorate their competitive achievements at the London Games. Of equal importance is recognizing the manner in which America's finest athletes conducted themselves off the field of play, truly representing the very best of the United States. That is something that should make all fans and supporters of Team USA extremely proud.” (Via TeamUSA.org)
The President and first lady were presented with an American flag sewn from 29,254 donated stitches as part of the Raise Our Flag program. Mariel Zagunis and Brad Snyder, (U.S. Navy lieutenant and 2012 Paralympic gold medalist) presented the flag which traveled to London with members of the U.S. Olympic Team and was displayed in USA House, the team headquarters, throughout the Games.
blog comments powered by Disqus