Jill Biden, who sat in the Oval Office on Wednesday night as her husband passed the torch to Kamala Harris, cheered Team USA as the torch was lit at the Opening Ceremony of the Summer Olympics on Friday.
The rain didn’t put a damper on the spirits as she stood and cheered in the stands.
The first joined other world leaders – including French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte – watching the athletes arrive in the stadium under the Eiffel Tower.
Biden, like many others, snapped photos with her iphone. She sat with U.S. Ambassador to France Denise Campbell Bauer.
Team USA has 592 athletes competing in the 2024 Summer games.
The American athletes were on one of the 90 boats carrying 6,800 athletes along the Seine River parade route.
First lady Jill Biden cheers during the opening ceremony
Jill Biden, leading the U.S. delegation, is their cheerleader-in-chief, cheering them on just a few days after husband President Biden exited the presidential race. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff will attend the Olympics’ closing ceremony.
The first lady drowned her sorrows in a glass of champagne and a night of partying with Serena Williams, Charlize Theron, Mick Jagger, and Zendaya on Thursday.
The first lady joined the A-list stars at the Prelude to the 2024 Olympic Games party.
She was spotted in a white pantsuit chatting with guests at the event. Biden is on the cover of the August edition of Vogue.
Guests were surprised and delighted to bump into the first lady, Vogue noted in its write up and photos of the event.
Held at the Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris, Vogue editor Anna Wintour and Louis Vuitton men’s creative director Pharrell William welcomed guests inside ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony.
Jill Biden snaps a pic during the Olympics’ Opening Ceremony
Jill Biden dons a USA Olympic jacket during the rain in Paris, on the left is US Ambassador to France Denise Campbell Bauer
Jill Biden at the Prelude to the Olympics party in Paris at the Foundation Louis Vuitton
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte were also in attendance along with LeBron James, Novak Djokovic, Ian Thorpe, Tyrese Haliburton, Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, Soop Dogg, Tyla, Jeremy Allen White, Queen Latifah, and Alan Cumming.
The party was organized by Vogue in partnership with the luxury goods company LVMH, which is major sponsor of the games.
Instead of a red carpet, guests walked a three-lane track into the event.
The Olympic gold, silver, and bronze ones Louis Vuitton designed for the 2024 Games were on display.
Earlier on Thursday, the first lady met with U.S. athletes to pump them up before the games began.
However, her meeting with them had a wistful element as she alluded to Joe Biden’s decision to exit the presidential race.
The athletes applauded her and gave her a warm welcome.
The first lady sat in the Oval Office on Wednesday night as President Biden explained to the nation why he dropped out of the 2024 contest. Then she boarded a plane to Paris to represent the United States.
Zendaya and Spike Lee (left) and Charlize Theron (right) arrive at the party
Snoop Dogg and Steven Spielberg (left) and Mick Jagger and Melanie Hamrick (right)
She reference her husband’s words when she spoke on Thursday morning.
‘When Team USA glides through the Opening Ceremony tomorrow night, they carry more than just our flag. They carry our nation’s heart and our hopes with them, too,’ she told athletes at the reception at the French Ambassador’s residence.
‘It’s what I love about our country: that we are united, and together we can reach for every possibility. President Biden has led our country with that hope always in his heart. As he says — ‘
And here the guests broke into applause. Jill Biden expressed her gratitude.
‘Thank you,’ she said ‘I’ll take that home to him. And as he says: There is nothing America can’t do when we do it together. And we see that especially now, at the Olympics.’
Later, Jill Biden literally passed the baton when she met with members of the U.S. track and field team on its practice track outside of Paris.
The team recruited her to be the first leg of a stationary relay handoff.
French President Emmanuel Macron, Jill Biden, and Brigitte Macron at the Elysee Palace for the Heads of State reception
Jill Biden, left, learns the proper technique to pass a baton from head women’s relay coach Mechelle Freeman, center
First Lady Jill Biden records a digital video with Team U.S.A. Track and Field athlete Gabby Thomas
First lady Jill Biden speaks to family members of the U.S. Olympic team at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Paris
On Friday morning, the first lady was at the Élysée Palace for a welcome reception hosted by President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron.
There were 85 heads of state expected at the reception, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
After Friday’s opening ceremony, Biden will speak at a brunch on Saturday to commemorate the opening of the Games and celebrate the 2028 Olympics being held in Los Angeles. LA Mayor Karen Bass was among those accompanying Biden on the Paris trip.
She will also various Olympic events, including the Olympic Swimming Events in Nanterre, France.
