First Lady Pool Reports of July 25, 2024

Bonjour from Paris, where this afternoon the First Lady began three days of events as head of the U.S. delegation to the Summer Olympics.

Her first stop today was the U.S. ambassador's opulent residence in the 8th arrondissement — near the heavily guarded perimeter for the river-bound Opening Ceremonies tomorrow — to celebrate and recognize the families of Team USA athletes. The setting was the lush, expansive interior garden of the ambassador's residence. Guests also included representatives from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic committees.

The pre-show music included "Build Me Up, Buttercup" and "We Didn't Start the Fire." It's warm and sticky here, around 83 degrees.

The First Lady began her remarks at 3:36 p.m. local time (9:36 a.m. ET). Dr. Biden wore a white button-up dress patterned with blue butterflies, and periwinkle heels. The backdrop of the residence also included topiary, 13 American flags, two vertical banners that said "TEAM USA," cutout letters (each two feet tall) that spelled "USA," and a two-story flag draped over one wing of the residence. The couple hundred guests were kept on the lawn about 12 feet away from the short stage. Burgers and cupcakes were served. Children played badminton before the program.

The First Lady was introduced by Gene Sykes, chairman of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and Denise CampbellBauer, U.S. Ambassador to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco.

Dr. Biden spoke for just under six minutes, and praised the love and commitment of athletes' families; she also stressed the unifying power of teamwork, with thematic echoes of the President's speech last night. Some quotage:

"When Team USA glides through the Opening Ceremony tomorrow night, they carry more than just our flag. They carry our nation's heart and our hopes with them, too. They show the world who we are as Americans: determined, optimistic and resilient. That our strength is found not only in our strides and swings but in our hearts and in our minds. That — with all our precious differences and infinite similarities — we are always one team. It's what I love about our country: that we are united, and together we can reach for every possibility. President Biden has led our country with that hope always in his heart. As he says — "

And here the guests broke into applause. The First Lady looked grateful and perhaps wistful.

"Thank you," she continued. "I'll take that home to him. And as he says: There is nothing America can't do when we do it together. And we see that especially now, at the Olympics. In this moment we are more than our cities or states or backgrounds. We are more than our jobs or our political parties. We are all, first and foremost, Team USA." She enunciated U-S-A, and the guests cheered.

Dr. Biden began to take photos afterward with delegation members and invited guests, as Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" played.

Members of the U.S. presidential delegation and guests who were listed as attending the event (asterisks mark the individuals that your pool reporter laid eyes on for sure):

• Ambassador Denise Campbell Bauer, U.S. Ambassador to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco*
• Steven Bauer, Spouse of Ambassador Denise Campbell Bauer
• U.S. Senator Alex Padilla*
• Angela Padilla, Spouse of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla
• Annie Coons, Spouse of U.S. Senator Chris Coons
• Mayor Karen Bass, City of Los Angeles, California*
• Casey Wasserman, Chairperson, LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games
• Jenny Chandler, Partner of Casey Wasserman
• Brian Boitano, Three-time Olympian and Olympic gold medalist, Figure Skating
• Dawn Staley, Head Women's Basketball Coach, University of South Carolina, and three-time Olympic gold medalist, Women's Basketball

At 4:16 pm local time the motorcade began rolling to Athletica, which is Team USA's "high performance training center," in Eaubonne, France, about 9 miles outside the city center. The First Lady is scheduled to meet athletes there.

Please text my number below if you have questions.

At 4:40 pm local time the First Lady's motorcade arrived at Athletica, Team USA's "high performance training facility" in Eaubonne, about nine miles north of Paris centre. This is where American athletes in 25 sports train, eat, and get their Nike and Ralph Lauren gear custom-tailored.

En route Dr. Biden traded her heels for gray sneakers with navy laces. She was received at Athletica at 4:45 pm by Sarah Hirshland, the CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and Rocky Harris, Chief of Sport and Athlete Services for the USOPC. The First Lady was accompanied by Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ambassador Bauer, retired figure skater Brian Boitano, basketball coach Dawn Staley, and Annie Coons, who is married to Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.).

The First Lady and delegation then met the U.S. women's rugby team on their practice pitch; the team gave Dr. Biden a team photo signed by members and took a group photo with the delegation. (Team members scheduled to attend this event will be listed below.) Mayor Bass hyped the 2028 Olympics, which will be hosted by L.A.

Around 5:08 p.m. the First Lady and her delegation met members of the U.S. track and field team on its practice track, and the team recruited Dr. Biden to be the first leg of a stationary relay handoff. The two practice hand offs were technically a success, in that the baton was not dropped either time.

There were a couple customary "U-S-A" chants during this visit. The First Lady imparted best wishes to each team and posed for photos.

Pool was ushered off at 5:16. Motorcade began rolling back to Paris at 5:22 pm local time.

The First Lady has no further events scheduled for today. I don't know how to say "lid" in French.

Participants from the track team who were scheduled to greet Dr. Biden:

• Mechelle Freeman, Head Women's Relays Coach, Team USA Track and Field
• Gabby Thomas
• Sha'Carri Richardson
• Twanisha Terry
• Melissa Jefferson
• Tamari Davis
• Mike Marsh
• Fred Kerley
• Noah Lyles
• Kyree King
• Christopher Bailey
• Christian Coleman
• Aleia Hobbs
• Kenny Bednare

And from the women's rugby team:

• Emilie Bydwell, Head Coach
• Leyla Kelter
• Alexandria Sedrick
• Ariana Ramsey
• Ilona Maher
• Kayla Canett-Oca
• Sammy Sullivan
• Sarah Levy
• Stephanie Rovetti
• Kristen Thomas
• Kristi Kirshe
• Naya Tapper
• Nicole Heavirland

Background on Athletica provided by the White House:

Opened in 1993, the Centre International de Haute Performance du Val d'Oise (Athletica) is a renowned center of sporting excellence. Athletica welcomes more than 250,000 users a year from national and international federations, as well as a large number of training programs and elite sports events over 45 different sports. With sports facilities covering over 17 acres, Athletica has been designated as a preparation center for Paris 2024 and will host the U.S. delegation.

Please text if you have questions.