- President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden met with Team USA on a Zoom call Saturday.
- The president told the olympians he was proud and that they “represent the soul of the country.”
- He also praised specific athletes, including swimmer Katie Ledecky and gymnast Simone Biles.
President Joe Biden praised the US Olympic athletes over a
Zoom
call on Saturday as the Tokyo Games are coming to a close.
Tuning in from their home in Delaware, Biden and First Lady Jill Biden met with Team USA on a call that was livestreamed by the White House.
“You handle yourself with such grace, and such decency, just – you made me so damn proud,” Biden told the olympians.
Read more: 2 Olympic gold medalists share how they managed their mental health at this year’s games
He specifically called out swimmer Katie Ledecky, who won two golds and two silvers, saying she “can probably swim a mile quicker than most people could run a mile.”
He also praised gymnast Simone Biles for the “courage” she showed by competing in a final event on the balance beam after previously pulling out of five medal events, citing struggles with her mental health, and still taking home the bronze.
—DJ Judd (@DJJudd) August 7, 2021
Biden told the olympians that in addition to their athletic performances, he was proud of the way they carried themselves.
“You really represented America, you represent the soul of the country,” the president said. “It wasn’t just your athletic ability, it was your moral courage.”
The closing ceremony is on Sunday morning. As of Saturday evening, the US had more medals than any other country.
