Jill Biden supported Team USA athletes on the first official day of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on Saturday.
The First Lady, just days after her husband Joe Biden passed the torch to Kamala Harris, cheered on the U.S. men’s gymnastics team as they kicked off the Olympics in front of a star-studded crowd.
Biden was joined by Olympic gold medalists Dawn Staley and Bart Conner, Denise Campbell Bauer, the U.S. ambassador to France, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass at Bercy Arena.
The American gymnasts, however, had no idea Biden was watching them until they finished competing.
“I walked up and they were like, ‘Oh, Jill Biden’s here.’ What? That’s great,” Brody Malone said, via USA Today.
Jill Biden supports Team USA athletes on the first official day of the 2024 Olympics
The First Lady watched the U.S. men’s gymnastics team alongside Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (center) and Denise Campbell Bauer, U.S. Ambassador to France.
“I wish I could have shown her a cooler floor routine,” Frederick Richard joked.
But Biden seemed quite impressed by her routine, as she was seen getting into the spirit of the occasion, clapping throughout.
Americans also met Biden, who expressed the pride she and the country feel in them.
“I’m a gymnast from Deerfield, Illinois,” Paul Juda said. “She said everyone back home is behind us, including the president. That’s crazy.”
He then headed to the Grand Palais, where the gold medal in fencing will be contested in the heart of the French capital.
This is not the first time the First Lady has attended the Olympics. She also showed her support for her fellow Americans during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, being one of the few people allowed in the stands due to strict Covid-19 restrictions.
And earlier on Saturday, she defended the upcoming Olympic Games, which will return to the United States in Los Angeles in 2028.
“To so many elected officials across America: I thank you for everything you’ve done to champion the 2028 Olympic Games,” Biden said as he addressed the crowd at a Team USA brunch.
Biden represented the stars and stripes, wearing the team’s uniform that included a Ralph Lauren blazer.
Later that day, he headed to the Grand Palais in the heart of the French capital.
Biden watched the fencing competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics
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‘Thanks to you, the Olympic flame will shine brightly again in our country.
‘(…) Last night was spectacular. The rain didn’t dampen our spirits. Every step I took I thought: ‘My God, how are we going to get through this?’
“Paris has the Eiffel Tower, but we have Hollywood and the magic of Hollywood that makes all dreams come true, so I think we’re going to be fine.”
Jill, who was sitting in the Oval Office on Wednesday night as her husband passed the torch to Kamala Harris, cheered on Team USA as the torch was lit at the Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony on Friday.
The rain failed to dampen her spirits as the First Lady stood and applauded in the stands.
He joined other world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, to watch the athletes arrive at the stadium beneath the Eiffel Tower.
Earlier on Saturday, he defended the upcoming Olympics returning to the United States.
Biden spoke about the 2028 Los Angeles games during a speech at a Team USA brunch.
First Lady Jill Biden applauds during the opening ceremony
Jill Biden takes a photo during the Olympics opening ceremony
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Biden, like many others, took photos with her iPhone. She was seated next to the US ambassador to France, Denise Campbell Bauer.
Jill Biden, who heads the US delegation, is their chief cheerleader, cheering them on just days after her husband, President Biden, dropped out of the presidential race. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff will attend the Olympic closing ceremony.
The first lady drowned her sorrows in a glass of champagne and a night of partying with Serena Williams, Charlize Theron, Mick Jagger and Zendaya on Thursday.
The first lady joined A-list stars at the 2024 Olympics prelude party.
She was seen in a white pantsuit chatting with guests at the event. Biden appears on the cover of Vogue’s August issue.
