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Keeping Up With Katie: Ledecky, Olympians and Paralympians Honored at White House

The U.S. Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic teams were honored at the White House on Wednesday. Katie Ledecky was among the 600 athletes to attend.

Here’s a portion of President Biden’s remarks at the event:

“The Bidens are a big sports family, and we love watching the Olympics.  And Jill came home from Tokyo — all she could do was talk about you all constantly.  You think I’m kidding.  I’m not.

And we know that, no matter the results, we wanted to honor you here at the White House.  I’m going — and I’m sorry you had to wait that year between the time it was set and the time to go.  I mean, you’ve been through so damn — darn much.  (Laughter and applause.)  You’ve been through so much.

Six hundred American Olympians and Paralympians from the Summer Games in Tokyo and the Winter Games in Beijing.  Athletes from all across America, from all kinds of backgrounds — including 18 veterans of the United States Armed Forces who are here today.  They’re here today.  (Applause.)

And more than 260 medals across a dozen sports, weighing a million pounds.  (Applause.)  Thanks for letting me hold those medals, man.  It made me feel important for a second.  (Laughter.)  They are something else.  Thank you.

We also know the pride your families felt and how hard it was for them and for you that they couldn’t be there in person with you.

Our favorite part of the Olympics — Jill and my family — was watching your families watch you.  I’m not joking — watching your families watch you, learning about who you are.  Because we learn about how big and diverse and talented — how great this nation is, just how diverse we are.”

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