I think this is cute.
I don't want to make this (anymore of) a political blog, but I think these quotes are really precious. I know there was a lot of controversy about the President attending the Olympics games in China but I think that it showed our Olympians that all of the USA was standing behind them cheering them on and hoping for their success and that they were just going there as US Olympians but that they were truly representin' America.
Michael Phelps (Swimming): "Afterwards, I looked up and saw President Bush
giving me the thumbs-up and holding the American flag." "That was pretty
cool." (Simon Barnes, "Phelps Proves He Is In A World Of His Own, Times Online
[UK], 8/11/08)
Kobe Bryant (Basketball): "For our president to come
to watch us play the game and try to bring back the gold medal makes it even
more significant." "This means the entire country is rallying around this
kind of road to redemption theme that we have." ("Bush Looking To Instill
Patriotism In NBA Hoopsters," Agence France-Presse, 8/7/08)
Larsen Jensen (Swimming): "The President is watching, it's time to step it up." "There is no greater honor as an athlete to compete in front of the President."
(Aimee Berg, "Olympic Notebook #1 – Presidential Visits," TeamUSA Blog,
8/10/08)
Sylvia Fowles (Basketball): "[T]hat our President was out
here was good ... Now I feel like an Olympian." (Doug Feinberg, "President Bush
Watches US Rout Czech In Opener," The Associated Press,
8/10/08)
LeBron James (Basketball): "It's not every day you
get to play in front of a president and a king." (Jeff Duncan, "Star-Studded
Audience Sees U.S. Women Cruise," The Times-Picayune [LA],
8/10/08)
Dwyane Wade (Basketball): "We get support of our
president. That means a lot. That means a lot of people ... back home want
us to succeed." "So we have to go out there and play like we're
representing the US of A. If we do that ... we'll win it." (Paul
Alexander, "Bush Gives Pep Talks To US Olympians In Beijing," The Associated
Press)
Lisa Leslie (Basketball): "It was awesome." "It's an
honor that he came out and watched us perform and that he is a fan of the
women's basketball." (Doug Feinberg, "President Bush Watches US Rout Czech In
Opener," The Associated Press, 8/10/08)
Chris Bosh (Basketball): "It was just a thrill to have the leader of our country there." "It was pretty patriotic for us and for the citizens all across the world who are United States citizens." (Parke Brewer, "US Men's Olympic Basketball Team Beats
China," Voice Of America, 8/10/08)
Candace Parker (Basketball): "[I]t was great for him to come and support us." (Alastair Himmer, "Basketball – Bush Treated To U.S. Razzle-Dazzle," Reuters, 8/9/08)
Kerri Walsh (Beach Volleyball): "What an honor." "He's just a great sports fan
and he exudes optimism and pride in his country. We know he's proud of us. ... I
think if he'd take his shoes off, he'd be a stud." ("Beach Volleyball Players
Get Opportunity To Sweat, Set With President Bush," The Associated Press,
8/9/08)
Taylor Teagarden (Baseball): "He kind of surprised me, the
other night, at Opening Ceremonies he made that appearance and it was
unbelievable." "He came up to me and he knew who I was, having played at
Texas and him and his family having ties there, so that was awesome. I'm a big
fan of his, so it was pretty exciting." ("President Bush Visits With U.S.
Olympic Baseball Team Before Exhibition Game With Chine," TeamUSA.org,
8/11/08)
Baseball Manager Davey Johnson: "We are all honored he
came by and everyone was feeling great and we had a lot of energy when he was
here." "I think everybody got to talk to him, and got a signed ball or
took a picture with him. He was very gracious. Everybody on the ball club was
very impressed. Now our work begins. The fun and games are over and now our work begins." ("President Bush Visits With U.S. Olympic Baseball Team Before
Exhibition Game With Chine," TeamUSA.org, 8/11/08)
Jake Arrieta (Baseball): "I was shocked to meet him at first and a little nervous." "It was great that he was able to come out here and say hi individually to all of us. We got to take photos with him and it is nice to have the support like that, especially on an individual basis. I know he is extremely busy but for him to take the time out
of his schedule and spend a little bit of time with us, is very special."
("President Bush Visits With U.S. Olympic Baseball Team Before Exhibition
Game With China," TeamUSA.org, 8/11/08)· "It was nice to have a little bit of a conversation with him." "My family is going to be jealous and it is something I'll remember for a long time."
Misty May-Treanor (Beach Volleyball): "We've got to get him
some shorts and a tank top." "Give him a little more time and he'll be
good." ("Beach Volleyball Players Get Opportunity To Sweat, Set With President
Bush," The Associated Press, 8/9/08)
Phil Dalhausser (Beach Volleyball): "He said, 'Oh, Big Guy, I know you don't like them, but they [photographers] follow me everywhere.'" "He's very charismatic." ("Beach Volleyball Players Get Opportunity To Sweat, Set With President Bush," The Associated Press, 8/9/08)
Laura Berg (Softball) (after leaving a chalk hand-print on the President's back): "I think that might actually get me into the prank hall of fame. You can't get any better than pranking the most powerful man in the world." "I had it planned the whole time. He didn't know about it until (catcher) Stacey Nuveman told him. Fortunately, he was a good sport about it. I was a little worried about the Secret Service for a minute." (Tom Withers, "US Team's Laura Berg Still Having A Ball,"USOlympicTeam.com, 8/11/08)
"The Olympics] exceeded my expectations. ... I think the highlight was
getting my picture taken with the teams. ... They were so gracious, and
grateful, and excited. It's just a very energetic feeling. You know, they
represent the best of U.S. athletics. And they were really excited about their
events, and they're full of hope. It was just a very uplifting experience." –
President George W. Bush, 8/11/08
check out more here. view the slideshow on the right.
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