The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
The President and First Lady host members of the 2014 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams at the White House, in honor of their performance in the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
This afternoon, the President and First Lady hosted members of the 2014 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams at the White House, in honor of their performance in this year's Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
At an event in the East Room of the White House, the First Lady told the athletes that she was "truly amazed" by their performances in Sochi:
I am really in awe of everything you do, as so many people here in America and across the globe are. Again and again, you all showed us that being an Olympian is about heart; it’s about guts; and it’s about giving it your all no matter what stands in your way. And that’s a message that I try to convey to young people all the time — the idea that if you work hard and commit yourselves to a goal, and then pick yourself up when you fall, that there is nothing that you can’t achieve.
President Barack Obama delivers remarks during an event to welcome United States teams and delegations from the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi to the East Room of the White House, April 3, 2014. First Lady Michelle Obama, Jon Lujan, Paralympic Alpine skier and Marine veteran, and Julie Chu, Olympic ice hockey player, share the stage with the President. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
President Obama echoed the First Lady's remarks, saying that he and the First Lady "could not be prouder of Team USA." The President commended the athletes for their "dominating performances" in this year's Winter Games, noting the 46 medals they brought home this year.
From our ski jumpers who fought for equality, to the athletes and coaches who served our country in uniform ... these athletes all send a message that resonates far beyond the Olympic Village. And that's always been the power of the Olympics. In going for the gold and pushing yourselves to be the best, you inspire the rest of us to try to, if not be the best, at least be a little better.
"All of you remind us," the President told the athletes, "the most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the fight."
Read the President's and the First Lady's full remarks here.
The President and First Lady, however, weren't the only ones who enjoyed today's event. Check out some of Team USA's tweets and Instagram posts from their White House visit below:
