[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 29 (Monday, July 28, 2008)]
[Pages 1012-1013]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks to the 2008 United States Summer Olympic and Paralympic Teams

July 21, 2008

    Thanks. Welcome to the Rose Garden. Please sit down. We are thrilled 
to welcome members of the--America's 2008 Summer Olympic and Paralympic 
teams to the White House. Welcome.
    Today we honor skill and discipline. You're here because of the 
support of your coaches and your trainers and your families and your 
friends. They are proud of what you've accomplished, and so are the 
American people. And we're looking forward to rooting for you in 
Beijing.
    Mr. Secretary, thanks for coming. I want to welcome the U.S. Olympic 
Committee staff, welcome the military personnel who are with us, and 
welcome the rest of you. [Laughter]
    In the coming days, around 600 American athletes will arrive in 
China for the 29th Olympic games. You're going to compete in 30 
different sports, ranging from soccer to sailing and from judo to 
gymnastics. Together, the talented men and women of Team USA will 
represent the great diversity of our country. You come from nearly every 
State. Some of you are young--the youngest teammate is a 15-year-old 
diver--and some of you are old--er. [Laughter] There's a 58-year-old 
sailor, which gives this 62-year-old mountain biker hope--[laughter]--
that you may need me in Beijing. [Laughter]
    Team USA shows the great power of sports to bring people together, 
and there's no sporting event that unites people like the Olympics. All 
Americans will rally behind you when you compete in Beijing.
    We will be fascinated by the different stories behind each athlete. 
We will marvel at your hard work and your discipline; for example, the 
story of Matt Grevers. Matt seemed like a long shot to qualify for the 
U.S. team in the 100-meter backstroke. Because his parents are Dutch, 
the Netherlands tried to recruit Matt to swim for their team, offering 
him nearly a certain trip to Beijing. Instead, he chose to compete for 
the U.S. team and ended up qualifying in both the freestyle and the 
backstroke. And when he swims in Beijing, it will be as a proud citizen 
of the United States of America.
    Or we think of the story of Lopez Lomong. When Lopez was just 6 
years old, his family had to flee their village in Sudan when it was 
attacked by the Janjaweed. Lopez was separated from his family, who 
assumed he was dead. The little boy spent 3 years--3 days running from 
the militants and then 10 years in refugee camps. He finally made it to 
our country as a teenager, and his athletic career took off. Earlier 
this month, Lopez qualified for the Olympics in the 1500 meters. And now 
the boy who once had to run for his life is a man about to run for gold 
in Beijing, representing the United States of America.
    And we think about Scott Winkler. Scott didn't spend his whole life 
training to become an elite athlete, but athletic competition helped 
give Scott his life back. Scott was an Army specialist serving in Iraq 
when an accident cost him the use of his legs. He found healing in the 
Wounded Warrior Project, in his work to mentor young people, and in 
wheelchair sports. Last month, a magnificent throw earned Scott an 
American record and a spot on the U.S. Paralympic team. And here's the 
way he put it: ``I fought for this country, and now I'd love to win for 
this country in Beijing.'' Scott, we honor your service to our country; 
we thank you for coming today; and we'll be pulling for you.
    America's Olympians have two very important things in common: God-
given talent and an appreciation for the hard work required to achieve 
true excellence. The amazing athletic displays we see on our TV every 4 
years

[[Page 1013]]

result from the hard work that our athletes put in during the 4 years. 
For us, it's a moment; for them, it's a moment--a life of dedication.
    Olympians don't rest on their laurels; they wear them. [Laughter] 
Being a champion takes character, yet also entails responsibility. In 
Beijing, you'll convey our Nation's most cherished values. As 
ambassadors of liberty, you will represent America's love for freedom 
and our regard for human rights and human dignity. You'll represent to 
other athletes and to the people of China. In Beijing, you'll also 
represent our Nation's character. As ambassadors of good will, you will 
be humble in victory and gracious in defeat. And by showing respect for 
your competitors, you will demonstrate America's respect for the world.
    Laura and I look forward to joining you for the Olympics. I'm fired 
up to go. [Laughter] I can't wait to salute our athletes, and I can't 
wait to share in the joy of your triumphs. And so today we send you off 
with congratulations on the success you have already achieved and on the 
accomplishments we know will be yours in Beijing.
    May you and your teammates compete ``swifter, higher, and stronger'' 
in the games. And may God bless you as you represent our wonderful 
Nation.

Note: The President spoke at 10:05 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House.