Cheryl Angelelli
Paralympic-Olympic teams' White House visit caps a whirlwind summer
On Tuesday, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams had the honor of visiting the White House, where President Bush congratulated all the athletes for their accomplishments in Beijing and for representing the country with such pride. More than 500 athletes attended the ceremony on the South Lawn, including Michael Phelps.
The festivities actually began the night before, with a dinner for all the athletes at the Hilton Baltimore. The party was a huge reunion for most of us who have not seen our teammates since returning from Beijing. It was also the first opportunity for the Olympic and Paralympic teams to interact because the Olympic Games ended before the Paralympians arrived in Beijing. It was fun taking pictures with and getting to know the Olympic athletes.
During the dinner I looked around the ballroom filled with athletes and thought how amazing it was to be sitting here in this room with our country's best athletes and to actually be a member of this elite group. It was very humbling.
This was my third visit to the White House. I had the chance to meet and talk with President Clinton after the Sydney Games in 2000 and I shook hands with President Bush after returning from the Paralympics in Athens in 2004. Each experience is different; it is still an honor and a privilege to be in the company of the president.
The White House visit is the last public appearance for both teams and caps a whirlwind summer of excitement. I still have a few public appearances here in Michigan as well as some national appearances for my sponsor, AT&T. I will also be attending the Golden Goggles, which is the academy awards for swimming in New York on Nov. 17.
