[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 43 (Monday, October 25, 2004)]
[Pages 2445-2446]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks to the 2004 United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams

October 18, 2004

    Thank you all for coming. Please be seated. It's such an honor for 
Laura and me to welcome the mighty United States Olympic team to the 
White House. We're really proud of our athletes. We want to welcome the 
U.S. Olympians and the Paralympians here on the South Lawn. We welcome 
the coaches and the team leaders who are here today. We welcome the 
former Olympians and Paralympians who are with us today. We want to 
welcome Herman Frazier and Jeanne Picariello. We want to welcome the 
family members here. But most of all, we're thrilled the athletes are 
here.
    To qualify for Team USA, you had to set high goals, devote long 
hours to training, and outperform talented athletes from all across our 
country. In Athens, you faced the toughest competition and the highest 
pressure in all of sports. And when the games were over, America had 
earned more than 100 medals, the most in the world. We heard our 
national anthem played 35 times to honor gold medalists. Our athletes 
created lasting memories for millions of Americans who followed the 
games.
    We'll always remember Paul Hamm coming from behind to win the gold 
in the men's gymnastics, and Carly Patterson winning the women's gold 
the next night. We'll remember Rulon Gardner leaving his shoes in the 
ring after winning his last match as an Olympic wrestler. We'll remember 
our many incredible swimmers, swimmers like Michael Phelps and the 4x200 
women's freestyle relay team that set a world record. We'll remember the 
Paralympians who earned a remarkable 88 medals for the United States of 
America. Including Royal Mitchell and Karissa Whitsell, each of who 
earned two gold medals. We'll remember all the American teams that came 
together to win gold in the Olympics and Paralympics--men's rowing and 
sailing, women's soccer, softball, basketball--[laughter]--beach 
volleyball, and the women's wheelchair basketball team. Your success has 
showed the power of discipline and persistence.
    These games came at an historic time for the world. You and your 
fellow Olympians showed why we have such great hope in this world. Think 
about what happened at the opening ceremonies. Our teams marched 
alongside men and women from Afghanistan and Iraq, nations that just 4 
years ago knew only tyranny and repression.
    With millions watching, you showed the best values of America. You 
were humble in victory, gracious in defeat. You showed compassion for 
your competitors. You showed the great tolerance and diversity of our 
people. You're great athletes. Most importantly, you showed great 
character. You made us all proud, and I want to thank you for being such 
fine ambassadors of our Nation to the world.
    You also understand your responsibility to be champions away from 
the field as well. Appreciate the good examples you set for millions of 
children who dream about becoming Olympians or Paralympians themselves.

[[Page 2446]]

    In the years ahead, I hope you'll continue to give back to your 
communities. I hope you'll consider mentoring a child or coaching a 
child. With your generosity and decency, you'll make this country a more 
hopeful place.
    Once again, welcome to the White House. Congratulations. May God 
continue to bless our country.

Note: The President spoke at 10:07 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Herman Frazier, Chef de Mission, 
2004 U.S. Olympic team; Jeanne Picariello, Chef de Mission, 2004 U.S. 
Paralympic team; Paul Hamm, gymnast, Carly Patterson, gymnast, Rulon 
Gardner, wrestler, and Michael Phelps, swimmer, U.S. Olympic team; and 
Royal Mitchell, runner, and Karissa Whitsell, cyclist, U.S. Paralympic 
team.