Bonjour from Paris, the city of light and love, where the First Lady of the United States has arrived for Olympics 2024 Today, she began her journey at the residence of the U.S. ambassador in the 8th arrondissement, a stone’s throw away from the river’s edge, where the grand Opening Ceremonies will take place
tomorrow. It was an afternoon to celebrate the families of Team USA athletes, set amidst the lush, verdant garden of the ambassador’s home. The air was filled with warmth and a hint of stickiness, the thermometer hovering around 83 degrees.
As guests mingled, the strains of “Build Me Up, Buttercup” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire” played, setting a nostalgic and lively mood. The First Lady arrived clad in a white dress adorned with delicate blue butterflies and periwinkle heels.
The scene was meticulously arranged: topiary, a parade of thirteen American flags, banners proclaiming “TEAM USA,” and two-foot-tall letters spelling “USA.” A grand two-story flag draped gracefully over one wing of the residence, adding to the patriotic ambiance.
Guests, including representatives from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic committees, gathered on the lawn, kept at a polite distance of about 12 feet from the stage. The atmosphere was relaxed and joyful; burgers and cupcakes were served, and children played badminton, adding to the festivities.
The First Lady was warmly introduced by Gene Sykes, chairman of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and Denise Campbell Bauer, the U.S. Ambassador to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco.
Taking the stage at precisely 3:36 p.m. local time (9:36 a.m. ET), Dr. Biden spoke for nearly six minutes. She praised the unwavering love and dedication of the athletes’ families and emphasized the unifying power of teamwork—a sentiment resonant with the President’s words from the previous evening.
“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 —”The First Lady paused, her expression a blend of gratitude and wistfulness, as the guests broke into applause.
“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 emphasized “U-S-A” with a triumphant tone, prompting the guests to cheer in unison.
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