On the Scene - "Fan-in-Chief" Obama Welcomes Team USA to White House

(ATR) President Barack Obama tells U.S. Olympians and Paralympians, "You gave us a summer we will never forget."

The President, First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden greeted nearly 400 athletes on the South Lawn of the White House on Friday.

"I’m the Fan in Chief," Obama said to rousing applause, as the athletes and their team leaders sat on risers behind him. More than 200 other dignitaries, family members, sports officials and children watched from folding chairs on the lawn.

The 2012 U.S. Olympic team won the medal count in London with 104 total medals – 46 gold, 29 silver and 29 bronze. China was next with 88 total, including 38 golds.

In the Paralympics, the U.S. finished sixth in the medal count based on gold medals with 31, but fourth in overall medals with 98. China led with 231 total, including 95 gold medals.

As the nation still mourns the death of the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans – with flags still flying at half-staff since Sept. 11 – this was a time to celebrate.

"As Olympians and Paralympians, you guys all find the strength to keep pushing on good days and bad days – because you believe that no matter where we come from, or no matter what hand we’ve been dealt in life, with enough effort, there is no limit to how far we can go," Obama said.

"That’s what sets all of you apart. That’s what sets America apart. We celebrate individual effort, but we also know that, together, we can do incredible things that we couldn’t accomplish on our own."

Michael Phelps, Sanya Richards-Ross, Tyson Gay and members of the U.S. soccer team were some of the more famous U.S. athletes attending the ceremony. Some athletes wore their medals, and all wore new Nike varsity jackets and Team USA t-shirts.

Keeping Up on TV

The President said he was "pretty jealous" that his wife got to go to London and lead the U.S. delegation, but he watched on television. "I usually work pretty late, but I mastered the DVR, so I was able to catch a little bit of everything," Obama said, noting that the athletes’ achievements inspired him as he jogged on the treadmill.

"And wheelchair rugby," he added, "I’m just glad you guys aren’t taking me out."

Obama was presented with the Stars and Stripes carried into the stadium by Olympic Opening Ceremony flagbearer Mariel Zagunis, a fencer, and Brad Snyder, a swimmer who carried the flag in both the Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Snyder was a U.S. Navy Lieutenant serving in Afghanistan in September 2011 when he stepped on an improvised explosive device, which blinded him.

"The toughest aspect of my recovery over the last year was the idea that my service was taken away from me," Snyder told the crowd. "So to be able to throw on this new uniform and represent Team USA and get back out there and continue to serve and get back in the fight was an amazing feeling."

Zagunis cited the "Raise our Flag" fundraising program by the USOC, which saw more than 29,000 people donate stitch by stitch.

Ambassadors Abroad

Obama said he was proud of how the athletes conducted themselves on the world stage.

"You could not have been better ambassadors," he said, "or better representatives of the United States or what we stand for. One of the great things about watching the Olympics is we are a portrait of what this country’s all about. Every walk of life, every background, every race, every faith. It sends a message to the world about what makes America special. It speaks to the character of this group, how you guys carried yourselves."

Both Obama and the First Lady spoke of particular athletes, including sitting volleyball player Kari Miller, who was in the military when she was hit by a drunk driver and lost both her legs; Katie Ledecky, a teenage swimmer who brought some of her classmates to the ceremony; and Manteo Miller, who broke his shinbone while running the 4 x 400 meter relay.

"Unbelievable," Obama said. "All of you have stories of determination and perseverance. All of you made incredible sacrifices to get here."

Although the President only spoke for a few minutes, he lingered on the lawn for about 45 minutes, even taking off his jacket as the day warmed up.

"I am told that because of my schedule I’m not allowed to shake everybody’s hands," he said, "but I’m going to break the rule and try to shake as many as I can."

Obama was true to his word. He didn’t stay quite as long as his wife, however, who raised her arms in triumph after hugging the last person in the receiving line at 11:17 p.m., more than an hour after the ceremony began

"Let's Move" Initiative

Michelle Obama also spoke to athletes at the U.S. Olympic Media Summit in Dallas in May, where she touted her "Let’s Move" initiative, and thanked the USOC on Friday for helping to get more young people involved.

"By the end of this year, we’ll have helped more than 1.7 million kids all across the country get healthy and active and maybe we’ve inspired some future Olympians and Paralympians as well," she said.

After the President’s remarks, the Marine Corps band played the Olympic fanfare and other music and the athletes were invited to take a White House tour.

"It’s fantastic for our athletes to have an opportunity like this to understand how much they mean to our nation," said Scott Blackmun, the USOC’s CEO.

Athletes Impressed

Heather O’Reilly, a member of the U.S. soccer team, said Obama told them, "You guys made us so proud. That was so nerve-wracking, but we were so excited." The U.S. women won the gold medal after outlasting Canada in a thrilling semifinal.

"They’re really taking their time to meet every single athlete," O’Reilly said, "so I’m very impressed with that considering their busy schedules."

Aries Merritt, the 110-meter hurdles champion who met the president for the first time, said he got a hug from both of them. "Michelle gave me a hug twice," he said.

He was stunned that Obama recognized him.

"When I was coming down the stairs, he said, ‘Oh, The hurdle guy.’ I said, ‘You know who I am?’ He said, ‘Of course, I know who you are!’

High jump silver medalist Brigetta Barrett said she thought the ceremony was as enjoyable for the President as it was for the athletes.

"We’ve recently had some international crises around the world," she said, "so to be able to come here and smile and to meet and greet with people and to celebrate what America stands for … is just a great way to kind of get away from that, just even for a moment. Because he still has to go back and be President and deal with all that. But today, it’s about being an American."

Reported in Washington D.C. by Karen Rosen

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