What Michelle Obama told the International Olympic Committee about her Chicago (and father)

Remarks by First Lady Michelle Obama to the International Olympics Committee

MRS. OBAMA: President Rogge, ladies and gentlemen, Mesdames et Messieurs of the International Olympic Committee: I am honored to be here.

I was born and raised on Chicago's South Side, not far from where the Games would open and close. Ours was a neighborhood of working families -- families with modest homes and strong values.

Sports were what brought our community together. They strengthen our ties to one another. 

Growing up, when I played games with the kids in my neighborhood, we picked sides based not on who you were, but what you could bring to the game. Sports taught me self-confidence, teamwork, and how to compete as an equal.

Sports were a gift I shared with my dad -- especially the Olympic Games.

Some of my best memories are sitting on my dad's lap, cheering on Olga and Nadia, Carl Lewis, and ...

... others for their brilliance and perfection. Like so many young people, I was inspired. I found myself dreaming that maybe, just maybe, if I worked hard enough, I, too, could achieve something great.

(UPDATE: Michelle Malkin did some calendar-comparing right here and figured out that Mrs. Obama was 20 years old when Carl Lewis first competed in the Olympics.)

But I never dreamed that the Olympic flame might one day light up lives in my neighborhood.

But today, I can dream, and I am dreaming of an Olympic and Paralympic Games in Chicago that will light up lives in neighborhoods all across America and all across the world; that will expose all our neighborhoods to new sports and new role models; that will show every child that regardless of wealth, or gender, or race, or physical ability, there is a sport and a place for them, too.

That's why I'm here today. I'm asking you to choose Chicago. I'm asking you to choose America.

And I'm not asking just as the First Lady of the United States, who is eager to welcome the world to our shores.  And not just as a Chicagoan, who is proud and excited to show the world what my city can do.  Not just as a mother raising two beautiful....

... young women to embrace athleticism and pursue their full potential.

I'm also asking as a daughter.

See, my dad would have been so proud to witness these Games in Chicago. And I know they would have meant something much more to him, too.

You see, in my dad's early thirties, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. And as he got sicker, it became harder for him to walk, let alone play his favorite sports.  But my dad was determined that sports continue to be a vital lifeline -- not just to the rest of the world, but to me and my brother.

And even as we watched my dad struggle to hold himself up on crutches, he never stopped playing with us.  And he refused to let us take our abilities for granted. He believed that his little girl should be taught no less than his son. 

So he taught me how to throw a ball and a mean right hook better than any boy in my neighborhood. But more importantly, my dad taught us the fundamental rules of the game, rules that continue to guide our lives today: to engage with honor, with dignity, and fair play.

My dad was my hero.

And when I think of what these Games can mean to people all over the world, I think about people like my dad.  People who face seemingly insurmountable challenges, but never let go. They work a little harder, but they never give up.

Now, my dad didn't live to see the day that the Paralympic Games would become the force that they are today. But if he had lived to see this day -- if he could have seen the Paralympic Games share a global stage with the Olympic Games, if he could have witnessed athletes who compete and excel and prove that nothing is more powerful than the human spirit, I know it would have restored in him the same sense of unbridled possibility that he instilled in me.

Chicago's vision for the Olympic and Paralympic Movement is about so more than what we can offer the Games -- it's about what the Games can offer all of us. It's about inspiring this generation, and building a lasting legacy for the next.

It's about our responsibility as Americans not just to put on great Games, but to use these Games as a vehicle to bring us together; to usher in a new era of international engagement; and to give us hope; and to change lives all over the world.

And I've brought somebody with me today who knows a little something about change. My husband, the President of the United States -- Barack Obama. (Applause.)    ###

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Photo: Michelle Obama introduces her husband. Credit: Oliver Morin / AFP / Getty Images

Comments

[Dennis]

We don't need the Olympics in ANY American ciy with the country in several major crises. We don't have the money to stage one and politically, we have an administration with a 1936 agenda!

[Timothy L. Pennell]

I wonder if she told them about her job at the Hospital in Chicago? She used to scan the charts, looking for people to THROW OUT of the Hospital. Couldn't hurt.

[Louis]

This was the speech about which Valerie Jarrett said "there will not be a dry eye in the room"?

What does the IOC care about this?

The Oprahfication of the Olympics. Country with best sob story gets Games.

[Bruno Onwu]

The first Lady of the United State gave a GREAT speech. Hopefully America win the Vote...

[Louis]

Some of my best memories are sitting on my dad's lap, cheering on Olga and Nadia, Carl Lewis, and....

Her father, born in 1935, contracted MS in his early 30s. Does anyone really believe that a man with this painful disease would have an 8 year old (Korbut won in 1972), a 12 year old (Comaneci won in 1976), or a 20 year old (Lewis first won in 1984) sitting on his lap to watch the Games?

[Peteyk]

Maybe if obama brought his teleprompter with him it would have been different. We could use some Chicago corruption
in the olympics! Maybe now he can concentrate on things that matter, like how Africans can rise up and overtake a 3 year old kid in reading and writing!

[bettlove]

Glad they lost

[Bill]

HA! I looooove it! Another loss for the WON, Zerobama

[Eric Sapronetti]

What a yuck-fest. Its all 'me,me,me, I,I,I,daddy,daddy,daddy'

And our boys are dying right now in Afganistan. Talk about 'out-of-touch'. Marie Antoinette meet Michelle Obama.

[Joanne600]

Michelle Obama was 20 years old when Carl Lewis was in his first Olympics in 1984. Just a tad on the old side for sitting in daddy's lap, don't ya think?

[jdubya]

Pfffffft.

Hopefully Mr. President will take this as a nudge to get to work.

Besides, Chicago sucks. I would rather go down to Rio for the games.

[gus]

So Carl Lewis is 3 years older than Michelle but yet she was sitting on her fathers lap watching him run. Hmmm, that's interetsing.

Do they just make crap up without even checking facts? I mean if your going to lie at least make it believable. But I'm gussing I should believe a 17 year old Michelle was sitting on her dads lap.

WOW

[Jan]

I notice Michelle Obama also lie about issues as Barack Obama does. Michelle would have been in her late teens or early 20's in 84. Both Obamas lie a lot and talk too much about their family to help stir emotions. How can anyone trust these prople? Obama will tell you one thing and do something different. This kind of behavior, coming from a president is very disappointing.

[matt]

Dear God in Heaven! This woman may have single handedly blown Chicago out of the water. There is no "I" except in IOC with the Committee. They expect and get the best from the bid cities.

There is a ritual and expectation of the best from the participants who speak. The talk is of fraternity and brotherhood and stronger, faster, higher, not personal hejiras. The red flags should have been flying after that one.

Having been involved with the Olympics for many years, I am absolutely stunned by the incompetence.

[Ron Maiden]

Me me me.
These people have no class.
Get them out of the White House.

[Edward T. Head]

Olga Korbut represented the Soviet Union at the Olympics.
Nadia Comăneci represented Communist Romania.
No wonder Michelle was cheering for them.

[Lily]

Why does she think she needs to stir up a cry-fest every time she want to persuade?

[Barb]

Is there any current issue that does not illicit a personal "I" story from either Obama? One can easily forget as we listen, watch, read and hear about them on any media venue possible, that this is country of many peoples? He is an elected official, best case for him is that he is Pres. for 8 years. Has he no sense of the privilege and responsibility to all the citizens during his brief tenure? Their egos are incredible and their sense of greatness just plain un - American in it's lack of humility.

[m baechle]

With the embarrassing hodge-podge of sentimentality and disjointed thoughts that Michelle Obama offered as a supposed justification for selecting Chicago, it is no wonder Chicago didn't make the cut. Moreover, it really shows how convinced Michelle is that this is "all about me".

[henry]

Michelle Obama is the worst First Lady in History. Her narcissistic belief that she made a "sacrifice" to waste millions of taxpayer dollars to hang out with Oprah and the Danish Queen is the most idiotic condescending elitist bulltwacky ever uttered by a moron in designer clothes. She is an international embarassment and will set her race back fifty years!

[Blacque Jacques Shellacque]

"Michelle Malkin did some calendar-comparing right here and figured out that Mrs. Obama was 20 years old when Carl Lewis first competed in the Olympics."

Is Obama's wife dishonest, or confused? You be the judge.

[mario bennutti]

michelle obama she should stay home in her garden with her kids; instead to going to denmark and try to bull those guys of the ioc with her sad histories and false data; about lewis and her father and hyde park;europe he allready catch up with the bull of the obamas;the country is in not position of waisting millions of taxpayer dollars;to satisfy political agendas and persomal egos; if she wants to tell sad histories or ear sad histories she should come to la and bring oprha to the skid row; and try to resolve this problem of the homeless

[janranch]

Somehow I think the murder of a chicago youth would have more impact than that speech. How stupid are the chicago black youth. They have chased all those attendees away. Now who are they going to assault and rob. With 58 % youth unemployment and Acorn being defunded- where is the bucks going to come from if not crime? What a sorry lot we have in the white house. AND where is the obama outrage at the killing of that black kid by another black. He won't touch that after the boston BS with Gates. God I dislike our president.

[Recovering Democrat]

Michelle lied, Olympics died.

[John]

Yeah America fails, lets all run out into the streets and burn and American flag to celebrate!

[democratsarefascists]

Ego is not enough to get the job done.

And sending someone to sell America who hates America was a fool's errand, assigned by fools.

[Robert]

Well If I would have been the committee and saw Obama and his entourage of Michelle and Opera walk in I would probably not have voted for the US either.

[Grafted Devil (thanx be to Yacub)]

Moderator....please show my last post because I want ALL OF THE OBAMA SLOBBERERS to read it....

Hey obama bots....obama says to drink the secret kool-aid and lay down....Matter of fact, take a double dose.....it'll really make you feel better....

Remember....obama says all are equal in his sight...

Youre a fool....a blithering idiot....and I thought a village only had one....

Hows that DOPE and STRANGE goin' for ya??

FOOL..

[dave]

revolting nonsense! Clearly displaying a complete lack of respect for the international committee and a preponderance of obama ego bunk.

[NotAnObamaFan]

it's all about the obamas.

[James]

Hand out the barf bags

[beverly]

I've read each of these blogs regarding the First Lady's speech. It saddens me that there are such hateful people in this world. It is people like them that will find fault in everything this President and First Lady do. You need to ask yourselves, WHY???

[B]

I think talking about bringing the world together in the Olympics is redundant. What the hell else has it ever done? It's like this "we don't have to oppose each other all the time" wooly-foo-foo bs.

Ask Muddy Waters about Chicago.

[Rob]

President on training wheels. Obamas think it's all about them. Barry is a classic narciscist . The media gives him an affirmative action boost.
BO is a buffoon.

[exeal]

Saturday Night Live made Tina Fey famous by writing a script for her to say "I can see Russia from my house!"

I think SNL should now write a skit with "Michelle" saying, "I can see Carl Lewis from my daddy's lap!!!"