President Barack Obama hosted the 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams at the White House on Thursday.
Obama opened his speech by saying that he had planned on doing a floor routine with Simone Biles, before ultimately deciding that the room was too crowded. First Lady Michelle Obama interjected to remind the crowd that her husband “can’t touch his toes.”
The President then singled out the athletic accomplishments of Olympians including Biles, Michelle Carter, Simone Manuel, Claressa Shields, Kristin Armstrong, Kim Rhode, Allyson Felix, Brianna Rollins, Nia Ali, Kristi Castlin, Katie Ledecky, Michael Phelps and the men’s and women’s basketball teams.
He also recognized: Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first American to compete in the Olympics wearing a hijab, Sam Kendricks, the U.S. Army reservist who put down his pole and stood at attention when the national anthem started playing, Will Claye, who proposed to U.S. hurdler Queen Harrison after winning an Olympic silver medal, and Abbey D’Agostino, who helped an opponent to her feet after a crash.
“That is exactly what the Olympic spirit and the American spirit should be all about,” Obama said about the sportsmanship of D’Agostino.
The President was particularly enthusiastic about the performance of the female athletes.
“2016 belonged to America’s women Olympians,” Obama said. “Y’all crushed it.”
Watch Obama’s full speech here.
After Obama’s speech, Biles presented him with a surfboard autographed by the Olympians in attendance.
“I’m going to have a lot of time to surf next year,” Obama said.
MORE: Photos of Team USA at the White House
The closing ceremony flag bearers presented the @WhiteHouse with a one-of-a-kind surfboard COVERED in #TeamUSA autographs! 🇺🇸 #TeamUSAinDC pic.twitter.com/00e6g5EWLG
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) September 29, 2016