Michelle Obama Encourages Competitive Spirit In Team USA!
There's no better hype woman then First Lady, Michelle Obama. During a breakfast meeting at an east London sports center Friday morning, she spread some much needed support to Team USA, as well as revved up their level of excitement.
In attendance were fencing competitors, track and field stars, and women's basketball players.
"Some of my fondest memories growing up and as an adult involve watching the Olympics on TV," Mrs. Obama told the 2012 U.S Olympians. "My family would sit together for hours watching these men and women perform feats of endurance speed that would have us cheering at the top of our lungs."
"My brother and I would dream about how maybe one day we might be able to achieve something just as great for ourselves." She tacked on.
The topic then switched to her late father, Fraser C. Robinson III, a former employee of the City of Chicago water plant, who was a very athletic man but was reduced to crutches due to his arduous battle with MS.
"The Olympics for him was a special time for him to watch amazing athletes perform on the world stage," said Obama. "You never know who are inspiring: from a family on the South Side of Chicago to a young athlete going to pick up a soccer ball or start running after watching something you all do."
After her heartfelt words of wisdom, the First Lady's competitive urges came out in full force. "we are all proud of you all," said the mother-of-two. "Try to have some fun. Try to breathe and take it in. But also win!"
Discus thrower Aretha Thurmand found Obama's advice very helpful. "We do sometimes need to take a moment to breathe. Soak it in, take the stress level down a little bit." She told People magazine. "Everybody puts the weight of the world on their shoulders at an event like this. Sometimes you forget to breathe."
The 2012 Summer Olympics is poised to commence this evening and will conclude Sunday, August 12, 2012. Go Team USA!