Current:Home > StocksHere’s how Jill Biden thinks the US can match the French pizzazz at the LA Olympics -ValueCore
Here’s how Jill Biden thinks the US can match the French pizzazz at the LA Olympics
Algosensey Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-08 18:01:45
PARIS (AP) — First lady Jill Biden praised Paris’ “spectacular” Olympics opening ceremony and looked ahead Saturday to how the U.S. can similarly dazzle audiences when the Games are held in Los Angeles in four years. One word: Hollywood.
Leading the U.S. presidential delegation to the Olympics, Biden snapped photos at the ceremony along the Seine River on Friday night after meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte. The show combined elaborate performances from the likes of Celine Dion, Lady Gaga and French-Malian pop star Aya Nakamura with French flair. The landmarks of Paris became backdrops for fantastical song, dance and surprises like a hot air balloon carrying a ring of fire into a rainy Paris sky near the Eiffel Tower.
The show’s pizzazz wowed despite heavy rain that drenched the athletes parading on boats down the Seine and the crowds gathered on the river’s banks and bridges to cheer them on.
But Biden made it clear that “the rain did not dampen our spirits.” Speaking at a reception at the U.S. ambassador to France’s official residence, she mused on how the U.S. could top the show in 2028.
“OK, so Paris has the Eiffel Tower, but we have Hollywood, right? And the magic of Hollywood that makes all dreams come true. So I think we’re gonna be OK,” she said.
Biden, who escaped a tumultuous political atmosphere in Washington after President Joe Biden ended his campaign for a second term, traveled to Paris this week with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
“At the 2028 Games, Olympians and fans will see themselves reflected in Los Angeles — add that to our American warmth, hospitality and leadership, not to mention experience,” Biden said. It will be LA’s third time hosting, the last in 1984.
The first lady also spent part of Saturday watching the men’s gymnastics qualifying round at Bercy Arena, applauding American star Frederick Richard’s floor routine before meeting with the team shortly after it finished second in its subdivision, behind Britain.
Paris Olympics
- Paris glittered in the rain during the Olympic opening ceremony; see photos from the ceremony.
- Some residents of one Paris neighborhood say they passed on the grand festivities of the Opening Ceremony after being overlooked.
- This Georgian shooter becomes the first 10-time female Olympian.
- See the Olympic schedule of events and follow all of AP’s coverage of the Summer Games.
- Want more? Sign up for our daily Postcards from Paris newsletter.
“That was pretty sick,” the 20-year-old Richard said. “I did not expect today that I would meet the first lady, but I’m very thankful for the opportunity, and I’m glad they’re watching. I mean, that’s powerful, too.”
Richard’s only regret? He didn’t “show her a cooler floor routine” after he scored a little below his usual standard.
Biden also watched women’s water polo and stopped by the Grand Palais, the venue that hosts fencing. Earlier in the week, she visited athletes on the U.S. women’s rugby and the track and field teams at a training center in the northern Paris suburbs.
Biden later Saturday planned to attend an event focused on advancing women’s sports and health innovation.
___
AP National Writer Will Graves contributed from Paris.
___
AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
veryGood! (328)
Related
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Polar Bear Moms Stick to Their Dens Even Faced With Life-Threatening Dangers Like Oil Exploration
- Southwest cancels another 4,800 flights as its reduced schedule continues
- Pennsylvania Grand Jury Faults State Officials for Lax Fracking Oversight
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Southwest Airlines' #epicfail takes social media by storm
- Americans are piling up credit card debt — and it could prove very costly
- The attack on Brazil's Congress was stoked by social media — and by Trump allies
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Charlie Sheen’s Daughter Sami Sheen Celebrates One Year Working on OnlyFans With New Photo
Ranking
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Inside Clean Energy: The Case for Optimism
- Could Biden Name an Indigenous Secretary of the Interior? Environmental Groups are Hoping He Will.
- In California’s Farm Country, Climate Change Is Likely to Trigger More Pesticide Use, Fouling Waterways
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Why Nick Cannon Thought There Was No Way He’d Have 12 Kids
- Chilling details emerge in case of Florida plastic surgeon accused of killing lawyer
- Video game testers approve the first union at Microsoft
Recommendation
'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
Two Louisiana Activists Charged with Terrorizing a Lobbyist for the Oil and Gas Industry
New York’s Heat-Vulnerable Neighborhoods Need to Go Green to Cool Off
Police Officer Catches Suspected Kidnapper After Chance Encounter at Traffic Stop
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
Warming Trends: Heating Up the Summer Olympics, Seeing Earth in 3-D and Methane Emissions From ‘Tree Farts’
NOAA’s ‘New Normals’ Climate Data Raises Questions About What’s Normal
For 3 big Alabama newspapers, the presses are grinding to a halt