By Nick Butler

Barrack and Michelle Obama receiving autographes flags from the US Olympic and Paralympic teams ©Getty ImagesApril 3 - Awe and respect were the dominant themes highlighted by President Barack Obama and wife Michelle when they welcomed the United States Winter Olympic and Paralympic teams to the White House for a special Ceremony. 


The US Olympic team finished fourth on the medals table in Sochi in February with nine gold, seven silver and 12 bronze medals, while at the Paralympics the following month they camed eighth with two gold, seven silver and nine bronze medals.

Neither the President nor the First Lady attended either Games for political reasons in response to Russian policy regarding controversial anti-gay rights legislation and intervention in Ukraine respectively. 

Yet the pair claimed they remained interested and supportive of US athletes during both Games and this support was reiterated during the Ceremony as they explained their admiration for the feats of the athletes.

"I don't know how you guys do it," said Michelle.Obama

"You guys do crazy things."

In particular she cited the plight of Dan Cnossen, a Navy SEAL who recovered from losing both of his legs above the knees after stepping on a landmine while serving in Afghanistan before battling back to compete in six Nordic skiing events in Sochi, and achieve a best finish of sixth place in the 1km sprint cross country. 

Olympians and Paralympians look on during the Ceremony in the White House ©Getty ImagesOlympians and Paralympians look on during the Ceremony in the White House
©Getty Images



Before meeting the President and First Lady, team members took an took a detailed tour of both the inside and the grounds of the White House.

Each athlete then had the opportunity to meet and chat to both Obama's as well as to pose for a photo before a series of speeches ended the event..

The presence of Paralympians, such as Cnossen, gave the event deeper significance because the event took place a day after a shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, that left four people dead.

"We join that entire community in honouring those who lost their lives," said the President.

"Every single one of them was an American patriot.

"We stand with their families and their loved ones as they grieve."

But there was also much humour to proceedings, with Obama insisting he had "double-checked to make sure that all the bathroom locks were working in case Johnny Quinn tried to bust down one of these antique doors", in reference to the bobsledder who broke down his bathroom door after getting stuck inside during the Games.

Obama also showed some awareness of the technicalities of winter sport when outlining the snowboarding trick which propelled US star Sage Kotsenburg to the first gold medal of the Games..

"Back to back, double cork 1260 - I don't know what that means, really," Obama said.

"I'm pretty sure I'm the first President to ever say that."