President Obama has congratulated the latest American athletic heroes that have won a gold medal. He personally called to the “Fab Five,” the five members of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team, and tweeted and called swimmer Michael Phelps. He felicitated them while he was on Air Force One traveling from Washington to Ohio for campaign events.

The president did not just congratulate the gymnastics but also asked them how they manage to achieve what they do: “I told these young ladies as I was congratulating them, ‘how do you not bust your head every time you’re on that little balance beam?’” Obama said. “I couldn’t walk across that balance beam,” he joked.

According to White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, this is what Obama said to the gymnastics:

To Aly Reisman: “Michelle and I have watched and decided of all the Olympians, you guys amaze us the most.”

To Jordan Wieber: “I’m so impressed by how you bounced back and led the team. Tell your parents I’m proud of them too. I don’t think I could watch if I were them.”

To McKayla Maroney: “Way to nail that vault. It was unbelievable.”

To Kyla Ross: He remarked how she was “really steady.” “I was impressed by how cool you were. I don’t know how you do what you do especially the balance beam.”

To Gabby Douglas: “You just tore it up. I know how hard you worked to get there.” And: “Keep at it. Stay cool.”

Obama has also congratulated the American swimmer Michael Phelps for winning a new gold and becoming the most decorated Olympic athlete of all history. He first tweeted on his personal account the following: “Congrats to Michael Phelps for breaking the all-time Olympic medal record. You’ve made your country proud.”

Later he called Phelps by phone. According to the White House the president told Phelps he was “the greatest Olympian ever” and that the country “couldn’t be prouder.”

Once in Ohio, where he is attending some campaign events, he said the following: “The wonderful thing about the Olympics is it reminds us that for all our differences, when it comes down to our country, we’re Americans first. And we could not be prouder of them and everything they’re doing on our behalf.”

Image Courtsey of AN HONORABLE GERMAN

Share This

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

About the author

Francisco Fajardo
Journalist graduated from the Navarra University, he has worked on newspapers and radio in Spain. His passions are sports, history and politics. Now he is part of the Toonari Post team.