Jill Biden cheers on Team USA's Olympic athletes over Zoom calling it a 'rare accomplishment in a normal time' but an even bigger deal during the COVID-19 pandemic
First lady Jill Biden cheered on Team USA over Zoom Friday from the U.S. ambassador's residence in Tokyo, Japan in advance of attending Friday night's Olympics opening ceremony.
'I want to thank each person who helped you be here today. Now those years of work, the drive and faith that have kept you going, have led you here. Congratulations,' Biden said, sporting a white, blue and red USA jacket over a white Michael Kors dress and looking into a camera. 'Becoming an Olympian is a rare accomplishment in a normal time. But you did it during a global pandemic.'
Behind her shoulder was a large TV showing the faces of Team USA's athletes.
'For most of you, the journey to Tokyo began long, long ago. It likely started at a young age. The first time you picked up a ball or jumped in the water. The first ride that made you feel really free. Or when the backflip you thought was impossible suddenly wasn't,' Biden said. '
First lady Jill Biden did a Zoom call with Team USA athletes Friday at the U.S. ambassador's residence in advance of the Tokyo summer Olympics' opening ceremony
First lady Jill Biden had one-on-one conversations over Zoom with Team USA athletes (from left) Eddy Alvarez, Sue Bird and Allison Schmitt
'You've given up so much to be here. You've sacrificed time with friends and pushed yourself harder than you thought you could,' she continued.
'Your journey was supported by dedicated parents and siblings, grandparents and cousins, friends, classmates and, of course, the coaches that guided you along the way to Tokyo,' Biden added.
The first athlete she spoke to was Eddy Alvarez, a baseball player and, in the winter Olympics, a short track speed skater.
He's a flagbearer this year.
'Thank you so much, I love seeing you – you must be so excited!' she said giggling.
She then spoke to Sue Bird, a basketball player and flagbearer.
'You are one amazing woman,' Biden said.
She then spoke to Allison Schmitt, a four-time Olympic swimmer and mental health advocate. 'I think it's an even bigger honor that you're not just FLOTUS, but you're a Dr. Jill Biden,' Schmitt said.
'I'm so looking forward to watching you compete and as a teacher I think what you're doing is so important in that area of mental health because I know that a lot of students as they return back to school this fall are going to need a little help,' Biden said.
Schmitt said she's currently working on her master's.
'Go for the doctorate,' Biden encouraged.
Biden also told the athletes they were 'more than our cities or states or backgrounds.'
'We are more than our jobs or are political parties,' she said.
'We are Team USA,' she said. 'We'll be watching!' she encouraged the athletes.
Afterward she told reporters, 'it was emotional' after seeing the Olympians. 'It meant a lot to me. And to Joe. It should be exciting to watch the events,' she said.
'Thank you for your help,' she told her staff and embassy staff who put the Zoom call together.
'Am I allowed to shake hands?' she asked the staff, giving out elbow bumps instead. 'Just pretend these are hugs,' she said.
Earlier Friday, the first lady returned to the Akasaka Palace to spend time with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's wife Mariko.
Mariko Suga had prepared an incense workshop for Dr. Biden, where the first lady would smell difference fragrances and put together a small scented satchel.
With COVID on the rise in Tokyo, both women wore masks - but appeared sans shoes, as is culturally appropriate. They sat down at two desks with plexiglass shield attached to protect the lecturer, who spoke in Japanese and wore a light yellow kimono.
First lady Jill Biden arrives at an incense workshop Friday morning in Tokyo with the Japanese Prime Minister's wife Mariko Suga
Mariko Suga (left) and Dr. Jill Biden and her interpreter (right) take part in an incense workshop Friday morning at Akasaka Palace
Biden was guided through the fragrances - sandalwood, then cinnamon - briefly taking off her mask to take a big whiff.
'Oh that's strong, that wakes you up, right?' Biden said when smelling Palo Santo, a South American scent named for 'tree of God,' after the resin-rich heartwood used in incense in churches, which was described as slightly sweet.
Biden wore a grey trench-length blazer adorned with a pearl pin, that was a gift from Mrs. Suga when her husband visited the White House solo in April.
Doing more diplomatic work Friday afternoon, Biden arrived at the Imperial Palace for a meet-and-greet with Japan's Emperor Naruhito.
The emperor had invited 11 delegation heads to the expansive palace, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Albert II, the Prince of Monaco.
Biden arrived last and in the largest motorcade.
Reporters were only able to capture her entering the fete.
She had changed into a white dress with black polka dots.
She will attend the opening ceremony of the Tokyo summer Olympics Friday night.
First lady Jill Biden arrives at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo Friday afternoon for a meet-and-greet with Japan's Emperor Naruhito
First lady Jill Biden is gestured toward the doors of the Imperial Palace as she arrives for a reception with delegation leaders
First lady Jill Biden waves to reporters as she arrives Friday afternoon at the Imperial Palace for a reception hosted by Japan's Emperor Naruhito
First lady Jill Biden (left) meets Japan's Emperor Naruhito (right) at the Imperial Palace ahead of the official opening of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo on Friday
Japan's Emperor Naruhito delivers a speech to the guests including French President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Jill Biden at the Imperial Palace
First lady Jill Biden meets with Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at the Imperial Palace
The first lady arrived in Japan Thursday afternooon ahead of Friday's opening ceremony for the 2021 summer Olympic Games, which have already been plagued by a spike in COVID cases.
She wore see-through nylon slippers for dinner at Akasaka Palace with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and his wife, Mariko Suga.
The trio posed for a photo-op with reporters, with Biden wearing a $2,832 silk floral Tom Ford dress with a modest mid-length hem, a feminine pussy-bow collar, and a waist-cinching belt for the occasion.
Like the Prime Minister and his wife, Biden took off her shoes inside, as is custom, and was seen wearing only a pair of skin-tone nylon no-show socks. She also covered up with a simple black face mask.
The Japanese people and their guests have a tradition of taking off shoes for home meals to show respect and promote cleanliness. They also sit on tatami mats instead of chairs while eating.
The trip to Tokyo marks the first lady's first solo trip abroad since her husband came into office in January.
Biden arrived amid continued concerns about holding the Games over the surge in COVID, with Tokyo virus cases hitting a six-month high on Wednesday.
The first lady embraced COVID precautions upon meeting Prime Minister Suga, but also as she arrived at Yokota Air Force Base earlier today.
Disembarking the plane, she waved at reporters in a custom red Narciso Rodriguez dress that she had previously worn on a visit to Central Florida in June, as well as a white floral mask that she had first worn on inauguration night.
She was tested - along with staff, press and Secret Service - for COVID-19 on board Executive One Foxtrot between Anchorage, her first stop, and Japan.
She and only one other American, U.S. Embassy Tokyo official Raymond Greene, are the only two members of the official presidential delegation for the Games.
First lady Jill Biden (left), sporting slippers, posed for photographs alongside Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (center), who's in socks, and his wife Mariko Suga (right) who's barefoot, as is custom. Biden is dining Thursday night with the Sugas at Akasaka Palace ahead of the Olympic Games
First lady Jill Biden arrived in Tokyo, Japan Thursday afternoon to attend the opening ceremony of the summer Olympics
With COVID cases rising, the first lady appeared wearing a mask despite being vaccinated against the virus
First lady Jill Biden greets people at Yokota Air Force Base in Tokyo, Japan
First lady Jill Biden waves to reporters as she arrives in Tokyo, Japan ahead of Friday's opening ceremony
First lady Jill Biden is captured getting off of Executive One Foxtrot Thursday afternoon
First lady Jill Biden speaks at the Alaska Native Health Center on Wednesday in Anchorage, Alaska, a stopover she made en route to Tokyo, Japan for the Olympic Games
At her stop in Anchorage, Alaska on July 21, Biden appeared at the Alaska Native Health Tribal Health Consortium and addressed in yet another outfit - this time a below-the-knee black and white number, with stripes around teh skirt and a dainty bow at her waist.
She coordinated the look with simple black pumps, and alternated between both a black and a white jacket. For jewelry, she picked pearl earrings and a matching pearl brooch, which she swapped for other pieces from her jewelry box when she later arrived in Japan.
Biden said she was excited to get to Japan, telling reporters as she departed the Alaska stop: 'Yes aren't you? I'll see you there.'
On Saturday, Biden will spend time at the U.S. embassy in Tokyo.
She plans to dedicate a room at the Chief of Mission Residence to Irene Hirano Inouye and Sen. Daniel Inouye.
Irene Hirano Inouye died in 2020. She founded the U.S.-Japan Council and was the group's first president. She also served as the first executive director of the The Japanese American National Museum in her native Los Angeles.
She was married to Daniel Inouye, who passed away in 2012 and served as a senator to Hawaii for nearly 50 years.
After the dedication, the first lady will watch the U.S. versus Mexico softball game with foreign service members and their families.
Biden will then head to Olympics venues to watch several events before leaving Japan.
The first lady will be among a handful of people cheering athletes on as organizers announced earlier this month that spectators would be banned from Olympics' venues as COVID-19 cases spiked in Japan.
Biden traveled with President Joe Biden last month to the first portion of his first global outing since being sworn-in in January.
The first lady accompanied the president to the G7 in Cornwall, England, where she spent time with Carrie Johnson, the wife of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and their son Wilfred in Carbis Bay.
Highlights also included a school tour with Kate Middleton and a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle with her husband.
First lady Jill Biden greets people on the tarmac of Joint Base
She departed for Japan Wednesday morning and made a stopover in Anchorage, Alaska to talk about the coronavirus vaccine
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