In stark contrast to Mitt Romney’s disastrously arrogant debut on the world stage, where he put his foot in his mouth (and all kinds of other places) in every country he visited, you have the First Lady who represented the country proudly and honorably as the leader of the 2012 U.S. Olympics delegation and our ambassador of good will.
The first lady led the U.S. delegation, promoted her Let’s Move healthy eating and exercise initiative, and also served as our number one cheerleader and sports fan. She was there to enthusiastically support our athletes, personally hugging many of them.
Here is the official information from the White House on the First Lady’s visit to London:
President Obama Announces Presidential Delegation to the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London
In anticipation of “Olympic Day,” a global commemoration on June 23rd of the birth of the modern Olympic Games,President Obama today announced the Presidential Delegation to the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London. First Lady Michelle Obama will lead the delegation this summer, accompanied by Olympic and Paralympic greats toattend the Opening Ceremony, meet with U.S. athletes, and encourage American children to be active in their daily lives.
The First Lady is working to turn the inspiration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games into action by getting more kids healthy and active. In May, the First Lady joined U.S. Olympians, Paralympians, and London hopefuls to announce a nationwide commitment to get more than 1.7 million American children active as part of her Let’s Move! initiative to solve the problem of childhood obesity in a generation. In March, Mrs. Obama welcomed Mrs. Samantha Cameron, wife of British Prime Minister David Cameron, to the United States by hosting a mini-Olympic event for local school children and in April, Mrs. Obama spoke at the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Warrior Games.
“This summer I’ll be cheering on Team U.S.A. at the Olympic Games in London with this distinguished group of champions who truly represent the best of our country,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “Olympians and Paralympians are true American heroes and role models for all of us, especially our young people. And I know that this delegation will help inspire a generation of young people to get into the Olympic spirit by getting active and healthy so they can reach their fullest potential and reach their dreams.”
Members of the Delegation
- First Lady Michelle Obama
- The Honorable Louis B. Susman, United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Ms. Brandi Chastain, 2-time Olympic gold medalist (1996, 2004), 1-time Olympic silver medalist (2000), Women’s Soccer
- Ms. Dominique Dawes, Co-chair of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition and Olympic gold medalist (1996), 3-time Olympic bronze medalist (1992, 1996, 2000), Women’s Gymnastics
- Mr. Gabriel Diaz de Leon, Paralympic javelin gold medalist (1992), Paralympic discus silver medalist (1992), Paralympic shot put and discus bronze medalist (1988, 1996, 2000)
- Mr. Grant Hill, Member of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition and Olympic gold medalist (1996), Men’s Basketball
- Ms. Summer Sanders, 2-time Olympic gold medalist (1992), 1-time Olympic silver medalist (1992), 1-time Olympic bronze medalist (1992), Women’s Swimming
“Leading our nation’s delegation and traveling to London is truly a dream come true,” Obama said. “If anybody had asked me when I was 10, or 11 or 20 or actually 40 whether I’d be doing this I would have said not. Some of my fondest memories when I was young and not so young involved watching the Olympics on TV and cheering on Team USA and as part of this trip and my Lets Move! initiative to solve the problem of childhood obesity I decided that I wanted to turn that Olympic spirit and inspiration into action by using these games as a way to get more kids up and moving.”
More information from CNN on the First Lady’s London itinerary:
The first lady will head to London on Thursday, and her official visit will begin with an informal breakfast for U.S. Olympians on Friday. Later in the morning, Obama will host a Let’s Move! event for the children of American service members stationed in London as well as American and British students. Athletes such as David Beckham, Nadia Comaneci, Shawn Johnson, Carl Lewis, and Dikembe Mutombo will also attend the event.
According the White House, “Nickelodeon, The NBA and USA Basketball, U.S. Tennis Association, USA Field Hockey, USA Track and Field, Manchester United and Right to Play will provide sports stations for kids to get into the Olympic spirit by getting active.”
On Friday evening, the first lady will attend a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by Queen Elizabeth II for visiting heads of state.
On Saturday, Mrs. Obama will meet with Samantha Cameron – wife of British Prime Minister David Cameron – before attending Olympic events. And on Sunday she will deliver remarks at a brunch for the U.S. Olympic Committee, U.S. Olympic alumni athletes and Team USA supporters at the U.S. ambassador’s residence. Before departing on Sunday afternoon, the first lady will greet American military families stationed at Mildenhall Air Force Base.
Here are some of the images that the world saw of our First Lady in action. Thank god somebody knows how to behave when representing our country as a visitor in someone else’s house.
