Michelle Obama meets with Team USA (VIDEO)
First lady Michelle Obama started her role as the head of the U.S. Olympics delegation on Friday. She visited with Team USA, and told the athletes she was inspired by their company, and hopes their work will inspire others to "get off the couch."
The first lady shared how watching the Olympics was a bright spot for her father after his health was affected by multiple sclerosis.
"He retained his love of sports, truly. And the Olympics was a special time for him to watch amazing athletes compete on the world stage. So these games especially affected our little house on the south side of Chicago. Every few years, these games bring pride, excitement and wonder to millions of people around the world. And that must mean so much to all of you."
Athletes were touched by her presence. 2008 gold medalist Nastia Liukin tweeted a picture of a hug with Obama, and she played tennis with Liukin's teammate and fellow gold medalist Shawn Johnson.
She comes from an athletic family. Her brother Craig played basketball for Princeton and now coaches at Oregon State and her daughter Malia plays basketball for her school. Obama has pushed physical fitness from the beginning of her husband's presidency, and on Friday, she will attend an event from her initiative, Let's Move.
"Our goal is to get all kids in our country and across the world in a better state of health, and that starts with getting up and moving," she said. "As you all compete here, think of your fellow competitors back home -- all those young kids who are going to be thinking of visions of you as they go spike a ball or put their toe in that first water."
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She gave Team USA directions that every American can get behind.
"Try to have fun. Try to breathe a little bit," Mrs. Obama said. "But also win, right?"
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