    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [July 10, 1999]
    [Page 1185]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the China and United States Women's Soccer Teams Following
    the World Cup Final in Pasadena, California
    July 10, 1999

        The President. I want to say to the whole team how much we admire
    your performance in the whole World Cup. You were magnificent today, and
    we were very honored to have you in our country. You will win many more
    games.

    [After greeting China's team, the President proceeded to the locker room
    of the champion U.S. team.]

        The President. Let me say one thing. First of all, I think everybody
    in the whole stadium was weeping with joy. It was the most exciting
    sports event, I believe, I've ever seen. We were so very proud of you.
        I also want you to know, I just went in to see the Chinese team. I
    told them what a magnificent game they played, how honored we were to
    have them in our country. And they could not have been more generous.
    They said how well you played and that you deserved to win. I mean, it
    was an amazing day.
        We learned a lot today about soccer, about women athletes, about
    courage and endurance, and about genuine sportsmanship. I cannot thank
    you enough for the gift that you have given to the United States, which
    is even bigger than this great trophy. [Applause] Wait, wait, wait.
        And you see I brought a lot of people here who are big fans of
    yours, but I'd like our host Governor, the Governor of
    California, to say----

    [At this point, Gov. Gray Davis of California made brief remarks.]

    Note: The President spoke to China's team at approximately 4:30 p.m. in
    a locker room at the Rose Bowl. The transcript released by the Office of
    the Press Secretary also included the remarks of Governor Davis. A tape
    was not available for verification of the content of these remarks.