[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 28 (Monday, July 19, 1999)]
[Page 1340]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 champion 
U.S. team's locker room.]

    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 made available 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.