First Lady Dr.Jill Bidenjoined the approximately 600 Team USA Olympians — and scores of coaches, support staff and press — as she led the American delegation at the start of theTokyo Summer Olympicson Friday night.
A masked Biden, 70, attended the opening ceremony wearing a black-and-white polka dot dress and pearls.
The White House said earlier this month that Biden, 70,would represent the U.S.at the games in lieu of PresidentJoe Biden.
In addition to appearing at the ceremony on Friday night (local time), Dr. Biden, who arrived in Tokyo on Thursday,had dinnerwith Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and his wife, Mariko Suga, at Akasaka Palace and met with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace.
The first lady also met virtually with some U.S. Olympians, including basketball player Sue Bird and baseball player Eddy Alvarez, the flag-bearers for Team USA at the opening ceremony.
“I want to thank each person who helped you be here today,” she said during the meeting with athletes. “Now those years of work, the drive and faith that have kept you going, have led you here. Congratulations.”
She will host a watch party at the embassy in Tokyo for the U.S. vs. Mexico softball game and is expected to attend various events in support of American athletes, the White House says.
After Japan, she will fly to Honolulu before returning to Washington, D.C.
The first lady has frequently traveled since her husband took office in January and there is a history of administrations sending high-ranking members to the Olympics instead of presidents.
Organizers in Japan instituted strict preventative measures for all participants and media and essentially barred all spectators.
Nonetheless, some athletes and others in Tokyo for the Olympicshave tested positivein the lead-up to the opening ceremony, underlining public health concerns even given the safety protocols.
The White House said this week that while they were monitoring the situation throughout, they remained committed to participation.
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“The government of Japan and the IOC have very strict protocols, and they are taking careful safety precautions to keep the athletes and the public safe,” Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters.“Our team will be following very strict safety and health protocols, limiting engagement with the public and keeping our footprint as small as possible,” she said.
To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, visitTeamUSA.org. Watch the Tokyo Olympics beginning July 23 and the Tokyo Paralympics beginning Aug. 24 on NBC.
source: people.com
