Unaccompanied by President Barack Obama, the First Lady will lead the US Presidential Delegation to the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games.
Joined by a number of American Olympic and Paralympic greats, including Brandi Chastain, Dominique Dawes and Grant Hill, Michelle Obama arrives in London today for a trip that will include attendance at the Olympics Opening Ceremony and meetings with US athletes and American military personnel.
Mrs Obama has positioned herself as a passionate advocate of healthy eating and exercise and launched the Let’s Move initiative in the US. The movement is dedicated to tackling America’s childhood obesity problem, and during her time in London the First Lady will host a Let’s Move! Event for about 1,000 military children and American and British students to engage them in the spirit of the Olympic Games.
Mrs Obama’s appearance at the Games coincides with that of Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee, who has caused controversy with his suggestion that Britain isn’t willing to “celebrate” the Olympics. Both Mrs Obama and Mr Romney are expected to attend Friday’s Opening Ceremony in the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.
Mrs Obama’s first appearance in London will take place at the US Olympic Training Facility in the University of East London on Friday, where she will deliver an address to press at an informal breakfast. It will be followed by the Let’s Move event for military children and students at the US Ambassador’s Residence, which will also be attended by David Beckham. The day will conclude with a reception for heads of state at Buckingham Palace and attendance at the Opening Ceremony in her role as head of the Presidential Delegation.
The First Lady’s brief visit continues on Saturday with a private meeting with Samantha Cameron and attendance at an as-yet-unannounced Olympic sporting event.
Her journey to England concludes on Sunday with a brunch at the American Ambassador’s Residence and a visit to Mildenhall Air Force Base to greet American military families stationed there. Speaking of her visit to the Olympics and its association with Let’s Move Mrs Obama said: ““Olympians and Paralympians are true American heroes and role models for all of us, especially our young people. And I know that this delegation will help inspire a generation of young people to get into the Olympic spirit by getting active and healthy so they can reach their fullest potential and reach their dreams.”
