Olympians on Pres. Bush

I guess not ALL Amercians hate our President.... "The President Is Watching, It's Time To Step It Up" U.S. Olympians Comment On President Bush's Robust Support Of Their Efforts "The Olympics] exceeded my expectations. ... I think the highlight was getting my picture taken with the teams. ... They were so gracious, and grateful, and excited. It's just a very energetic feeling. You know, they represent the best of U.S. athletics. And they were really excited about their events, and they're full of hope. It was just a very uplifting experience." – President George W. Bush, 8/11/08 "For Our President To Come To Watch Us Play The Game ... Makes It Even More Significant" Michael Phelps (Swimming): "Afterwards, I looked up and saw President Bush giving me the thumbs-up and holding the American flag." "That was pretty cool." (Simon Barnes, "Phelps Proves He Is In A World Of His Own, Times Online [ UK ], 8/11/08) Kobe Bryant (Basketball): "For our president to come to watch us play the game and try to bring back the gold medal makes it even more significant." "This means the entire country is rallying around this kind of road to redemption theme that we have." ("Bush Looking To Instill Patriotism In NBA Hoopsters," Agence France-Presse, 8/7/08) Larsen Jensen (Swimming): "The President is watching, it's time to step it up." "There is no greater honor as an athlete to compete in front of the President." (Aimee Berg, "Olympic Notebook #1 – Presidential Visits," TeamUSA Blog, 8/10/08) Sylvia Fowles (Basketball): "[T]hat our President was out here was good ... Now I feel like an Olympian." (Doug Feinberg, "President Bush Watches US Rout Czech In Opener," The Associated Press, 8/10/08) LeBron James (Basketball): "It's not every day you get to play in front of a president and a king." (Jeff Duncan, "Star-Studded Audience Sees U.S. Women Cruise," The Times-Picayune [LA], 8/10/08) Dwyane Wade (Basketball): "We get support of our president. That means a lot. That means a lot of people ... back home want us to succeed." "So we have to go out there and play like we're representing the US of A. If we do that ... we'll win it." (Paul Alexander, "Bush Gives Pep Talks To US Olympians In Beijing ," The Associated Press) Lisa Leslie (Basketball): "It was awesome." "It's an honor that he came out and watched us perform and that he is a fan of the women's basketball." (Doug Feinberg, "President Bush Watches US Rout Czech In Opener," The Associated Press, 8/10/08) Chris Bosh (Basketball): "It was just a thrill to have the leader of our country there." "It was pretty patriotic for us and for the citizens all across the world who are United States citizens." (Parke Brewer, "US Men's Olympic Basketball Team Beats China ," Voice Of America , 8/10/08)