Pool Reports by Betsy Klein, CNN
| Sent: | Reports: |
| July 27, 2024 12:06 CEST |
#1 FLOTUS Pool - LA28 reception
First lady Jill Biden addressed a reception Saturday morning starting a countdown clock on the 1498 days until the Los Angeles Olympic Games, thanking gathered attendees for their efforts toward making the Olympic flame "shine brightly in our nation once again." Biden reflected on Friday evening's opening ceremony: "Last night was just -- I mean, it was spectacular. The rain did not dampen our spirits," she said. Biden said that as she was watching the ceremony, "I was thinking to myself, 'oh my God, oh my God. How are we going to top this? How are we going to top this?' So, okay, so Paris has the, you know, Eiffel Tower, but we have Hollywood -- right? And the magic of Hollywood that makes all dreams come true. So I think we're gonna be okay." Speaking in a gilded state dining room at the US Ambassador to France's official residence, the first lady looked ahead to the next summer games. "At the 2028 games, Olympians and fans will see themselves reflected in Los Angeles – add that to our American warmth, hospitality, and leadership, not to mention experience," she said, noting that this is LA's third time hosting the Games. "Planning the Olympics and the Paralympics is not a solo sport. It takes a lot of work to welcome 15,000 athletes, prepare for millions more spectators, and outfit venues for more than 50 sports. But with our phenomenal team, the LA games will allow the world to unite a generation of athletes to soar," she said. Biden also recognized the upcoming 2034 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, joking, "if you're like me, I was like, okay, how old am I going to be?" "For now, though, we're in a stunning place surrounded by generous people. So, let's savor the singular beauty of Paris, and let's celebrate not only the split-second victories and breakout stars, but the years of your effort, and teamwork that made this all possible," she said. Biden also recognized tennis great Billie Jean King, who was in the room for her remarks: "You've always inspired us to chase down our dreams on and off the court." Biden was introduced by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who called the opening ceremony "incredible" and recognized the city of Paris and her counterpart, Mayor Hidalgo. "We know that our partnership will not end at the close of the games that will be a another amazing legacy of Olympic cooperation," she said, noting that Hidalgo was a "gracious" host in "showing us around the city" and "telling us what we needed to do." Bass did not formally introduce Biden, and the first lady joked that her prepared remarks thanked Bass for her "kind introduction," laughing. Flagging interesting comments from Casey Wasserman, Chairperson, LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games, during the speaking program: "So the first event that Mayor Garcetti and I went to when we were bidding for the Olympics was in September 2015. And it was the association of national Olympic Committees at the Washington Hilton. In case you hadn't notice, the IOC and some of its leadership feels that they are like heads of state and expect to be treated and get that kind of welcome. And I'll skip the reasons why. But President Biden – President Obama would not have them come to the White House. We were three miles from the White House, which was a big deal and our first thing and we can't get the president to pay attention. But we had someone save the day min ago said he called the Vice President, Biden, he showed up at the Association Conference, which is the heads of every Olympic Committee in the world on announced came` on stage and spoke for 20 minutes and blew the room way -- and I will tell you it set the stage for a totally different relation with the Olympic Committee for our two year journey to bid for the game. That was a really special moment." Biden spoke from 5:49 am ET to 5:56 am ET. She is now en route to Olympic events TBA. There is no pool coverage. Passing along below background information from the office of the first lady – noting that Sen. Chris Coons has linked up with the delegation today. REPORTABLE BACKGROUND FROM THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY: July 27th, 2024 Today, July 27th, in addition to cheering on Team USA at various Olympic Games throughout the day,First Lady Jill Biden will attend a brunch reception to commemorate the opening of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and celebrate the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games. The First Lady will also join health, sports, and business leaders for an event focused on advancing women's sports and health innovation. LOS ANGELES 2028 OLYMPIC GAMES BRUNCH RECEPTION Members of the U.S. Presidential Delegation and guests in attendance include:
Remarks Program:
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| July 27, 2024 | [APP Note: See table below for Report #2 submitted by another reporter.] |
| July 27, 2024 19:14 CEST |
FLOTUS Pool #3 - Women's Health and Sports Innovation Event
First lady Jill Biden spoke Saturday evening at a reception at Hotel Meurice on women's sports and health innovation. "The more we understand about our health, the more treatments and cures we can find for everyone," Biden said, expressing gratitude to those working to "shine a light on the issue." The first lady enthusiastically described her afternoon watching Team USA sports. The delegation "just came from cheering on some incredible Team USA athletes," she said. Biden said she had never watched women's water polo before – and took an informal survey of attendees, who also had not watched much water polo. "You have to – like – go see it. Because it's incredible, they have more games to play – and we won! I'll tell you - it was so much fun, wasn't it?" "Away from the lights and the roar of the crowd – I still, you can tell, feel swept up in the magic," she said. Biden noted that almost the same number of women and men are competing in Paris this year, saying these games are "the closest we've ever come to gender parity." "Women's sports are everywhere, and more people are watching than ever before, but even as so many more women take to the court or fly down the field. What we know about women's health, and sports, simply hasn't kept pace – and that's because women's health is understudied and underfunded," she said. "All women have had to navigate a medical world largely designed by men," she said – adding that it's "not just elite athletes," but other women, too, pointing to the myriad questions women have. "Now it's time for answers – and that's why the Biden Harris administration is fundamentally changing how our nation approaches and funds women's health research," she said, highlighting her initiative signed by President Biden (and joking – "It's so silly to say that – Joe.") Female athletes "inspire us to work harder, to get back up when we fall. … By investing in women's health research, we can ensure that our athletes all can keep reaching for those bright tomorrows ahead," she said. She thanked those in the room for their dedication. Biden was introduced by Michelle Kang, owner of Washington Spirit, Olympique Lyonnais Feminin, London City Lionesses. Kang said that "all of the movers and shakers of women's sports" were in the room: "It's actually a very impressive gathering." Among the attendees: American track and field athlete Allyson Felix. Biden also recognized gender policy council director Jen Klein, who was in the room, and other members of the delegation. She was immediately escorted out a side door at the conclusion of her remarks. The delegation has also departed and pool is being escorted out – the event remains ongoing. Biden and the delegation are going to swimming this evening (no pool coverage). Before the program began, attendees were mingling over Bollinger champagne, wine, and passed hors d'oeuvres. The room is small, gilded, and has intricate tile floors, gold moldings, and five chandeliers. Guests were seated in cushioned chairs during the remarks. Biden began speaking at 6:57 pm (12:57 pm ET) and wrapped at 7:04 pm (1:04 pm ET). Passing along from the Office of the First Lady: Members of the U.S. Presidential Delegation and guests in attendance include:
Remarks Program:
Background on the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research
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Pool Report below by Dan Zak, The Washington Post
| Sent: | Reports: |
| July 27, 2024 17:32 CEST |
FLOTUS pool report #2 - Aquatics Centre
FLOTUS attended the U.S. women's water polo match versus Greece at the Aquatics Centre, north of Paris. The match began at 3:35 p.m. local and FLOTUS stayed for the entire game, which ended in a 15-to-6 victory for the United States. (Your pooler was not with FLOTUS when she arrived.) FLOTUS was seated a couple tiers from the pool with Mareva Grabowski Mitsotakis, wife of Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (note: Your pooler is seeing a variety of ways to spell her name online, so tread carefully), and other members of the U.S. delegation to the games (including L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, basketball coach Dawn Staley and former figure skater Brian Boitano). FLOTUS was wearing a white sweater with the American flag and Olympics rings on it, and white slacks with "USA" on the shin area. During the match, a meeting was arranged (I don't know by whom) between FLOTUS and hip-hop legend Flavor Flav, of Public Enemy, in the stands. Flav is a sponsor and official hype man of the U.S. women's water polo team. They embraced, and FLOTUS introduced Flav to some of her grandchildren. Everyone got a hug from Flav, who asked for a photo with FLOTUS. FLOTUS expressed her appreciation for what Flav is doing for women's sports. After the match, in the athlete's lounge, FLOTUS met members of the U.S. women's water polo team and expressed her astonishment at the skill and strength involved in water polo. She gave coins to the team members; the coins featured the Paris cityscape and the words "PARIS," "2024 OLYMPIC SUMMER GAMES" and "presidential delegation." A group photo was taken with team members and delegation members. FLOTUS began to depart the Aquatics Centre just after 5 p.m. local time. Apologies for the lack of times and details. Your pool reporter was not assigned to be the pool reporter until most of the visit/event was over. Please text with questions. |
Jill Biden, First Lady Pool Reports of July 27, 2024 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/373911