Michelle Obama gets US athletes and kids moving
Updated: 2012-05-15 10:30
(Agencies)
|
||||||||
DALLAS - Michelle Obama offered a pep talk on Monday to US athletes who will be competing at the 2012 London Olympics while announcing a nationwide program to get more American children active.
The US first lady, who will lead the US delegation to the opening ceremony of the July 27-Aug. 12 London Olympics, is hoping the American athletes will inspire children to get active as part of her "Let's Move!" initiative.
Speaking at the United States Olympic Committee's media summit, Obama announced a joint effort with the USOC and 10 sports federations to get 1.7 million American children, not already involved in exercise programs, to commit to beginner level Olympic sports.
"This summer, my hope is that together with our children we can support Team USA not just by cheering them on but by striving to live up to the example they have set," said Obama, flanked by athletes expected to challenge for medals in London.
"In the end some of these athletes will bring home the gold but all of them will make our country proud, all of them will inspire a generation of young people to get active."
With obesity among American children on the rise, Obama has spearheaded efforts to get kids physically fit.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity now affects 17 percent (or 12.5 million) of all children and adolescents aged two to 19 years old in the United States.
USA Tennis, USA Track and Field and the US Soccer Federation are among the 10 national governing sports bodies hoping to engage hundreds of thousands of children in various programs by the end of the year.
USA Swimming hopes to enroll 530,000 new learn-to-swim participants while USA Cycling will offer free clinics and 30-day memberships to 350 BMX tracks across the country.
Michelle Obama and US President Barack Obama have taken an active interest in the Olympic movement, even traveling to Copenhagen in 2009 to pitch Chicago's failed bid to land the 2016 Summer Games, which will be hosted by Rio de Janeiro.
"When I'm sitting in that stadium in London cheering on Team USA, I'll be thinking about all those young people cheering them on at home," said Michelle.
"I'll be thinking of the power of the Games to truly inspire a generation and how our Olympic and Paralympic athletes can serve as role models."
- 'Taken 2' grabs movie box office crown
- Rihanna's 'Diamonds' tops UK pop chart
- Fans get look at vintage Rolling Stones
- Celebrities attend Power of Women event
- Ang Lee breaks 'every rule' to make unlikely new Life of Pi film
- Rihanna almost thrown out of nightclub
- 'Dark Knight' wins weekend box office
- 'Total Recall' stars gather in Beverly Hills
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Supplies pour into isolated villages |
All-out efforts to save lives |
American abroad |
Industry savior: Big boys' toys |
New commissioner
|
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Today's Top News
Health new priority for quake zone
Xi meets US top military officer
Japan's boats driven out of Diaoyu
China mulls online shopping legislation
Bird flu death toll rises to 22
Putin appoints new ambassador to China
Japanese ships blocked from Diaoyu Islands
Inspired by Guan, more Chinese pick up golf
US Weekly
Beyond Yao
|
Money power |