Obama Greets Olympians, USOC Builds Relations with Congress

Obamas Greet Vancouver Olympians

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic team to the White House on Wednesday.

The Obamas spent around ten minutes with each sports team. After meeting the athletes individually, a formal ceremony was held in the State Floor congratulating the team for their hard work, winning 50 medals.

Michelle Obama used the event to promote her initiative "Let’s Move", which hopes to fight child obesity.

The White House Office of Olympic Paralympic and Youth Sport sponsored the trip to the White House.

Originally the event was scheduled for Thursday but the White House moved the event up a day. Vancouver-like weather forced the event indoors, leaving no room for top USOC brass to watch the ceremony.

More than 200 athletes made the trip to D.C.

Congress and the USOC

For the first time, the U.S. Olympic Committee will have a legislative caucus dedicated to the Olympics and Paralympics. The move comes less than two years after losing the Olympic movement’s strongest voice within Congress.

Senator Ted Stevens, a Republican from Alaska, lost his re-election bid in 2008. Stevens wrote the legislation establishing the USOC as a private non-profit organization, the Ted Stevens Amateur Sports Act in 1978. Colorado Republican Ben Nighthorse Campbell competed in judo at the 1964 Olympics.

To prevent an immediate departure of talent, the USOC teamed up with several congressmen to create a caucus in both legislative chambers that will benefit the Olympic movement in the U.S.

USOC CEO Scott Blackmun tells Around the Rings the USOC wants to build permanent relationship with Congress.

He praised the work of Stevens and Campbell, calling them "champions" adding "they’re not there anymore and we think it’s important to have long term relationships in Washington.

"It’s important for us to have great relationships on The Hill and we recognize that we need to proactively work to build those relationships."

During the USOC trip to Washington this week he would "be visiting a number of people on the Hill."

He said the caucus will be the key way to ensure the USOC’s voice is heard in D.C. Blackmun added "there is no specific agenda here other than I think the American people expect us to be in close communication with Congress and I think, frankly, Congress is just as proud of the U.S. Olympic team as Americans are generally.

"I think they want to be engaged in what we’re doing."

The Olympic and Paralympic Caucus

Dubbed the Congressional Olympic and Paralympic Caucus, 12 congressmen have already joined the House caucus, the formation of which was announced Wednesday.

The caucus is chaired by Representatives John Boozman (R-AR), James Langevin (D-RI), Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), and David Reichert (R-WA).

Representatives Brian Bilbray (R-CA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Jim Costa (D-CA), Susan Davis (D-CA), Steve Kagen (D-WI), Peter King (R-NY), Laura Richardson (D-CA), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Lee Terry (R-NE) and Henry Waxman (D-CA) round out the House caucus.

Doug Lamborn, the congressman representing Colorado Springs where the USOC is headquartered is not a member of the caucus but, his spokeswoman said "he is strongly considering joining."

Lamborn said in a statement for Around the Rings "I have a good working relationship with the representatives of the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, and the local members of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Fortunately, they have never needed serious Congressional help during my term in Congress, but I have made it clear that I stand ready to help, should they need it."

A member list for the Senate caucus is unavailable but Bill Bennett (D-CO) is sponsoring the creation of the Senateversion.

The House caucus was created Feb. 12. According to the Dear Colleague letter asking for congressmen to join, the caucus is "dedicated to educating Congress about the goals and spirit of Olympic-related athletic activity, increasing diversity in athletics, promoting clean and fair competition, expanding youth sports, highlighting the benefits of sports to individuals with disabilities, and supporting the vision of enabling athletes to realize their Olympic and Paralympic dreams."

Two of the chairs, Reps. Boozman and Langevin came to the caucus to support Paralympic efforts. Langevin is the only quadriplegic congressman.

Joy Fox, the congressman’s spokeswoman told Around the Rings for the past two years, Langevin has secured appropriations for injured and disabled members of the armed forces to be rehabilitated through Paralympic sport. The requests totaled $10 million.

Similarly John Boozman also worked to support disabled veterans. According to a statement from his office, Boozman "is familiar with the work of the U.S. Olympic Committee" and his staff "are working to provide funding to help veterans get involved in Paralympic activities at the community level."

Funding from the Department of Defense for veterans rehabilitation projects is the only money the USOC receives from the federal government.

The announcement of the caucus comes at the start of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team’s visit to Washington D.C.

Helping to arrange special events such as the White House visit as well as other needs in Washington is Desiree Fillipone, who has been leading the USOC Government Relations office.. Two full-time staff members work with her in the office.

Recently, the USOC contracted the services of Dutko World Wide, a consulting firm that helps build relationships between organizations and governments to assist in creating relationships with the USOC and legislators.

Written by Ed Hula III, reporting from WashingtonDC.

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