"Let's support Team USA not just by cheering them on, but also by urging our kids to live up to their example," First Lady writes...As head of the Presidential Delegation to the 2012 London Summer Olympics, First Lady Michelle Obama published an op-ed in USA Today. In "Olympic Spirit can Motivate Kids," Mrs. Obama wrote about the importance of the Games for supporting her Let's Move! campaign and recapped the partnerships she's created to offer sports and fitness opportunities to children across the nation. There's also a little bit of nutrition advice. (Above: Mrs. Obama and some of the 2,000 British and American kids playing on Friday during Let's Move! London)
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Mrs. Obama's Op Ed:
"Michelle Obama: Olympic Spirit Can Motivate Kids"
Some of my happiest memories — both as a child and as an adult — involve watching the Olympic Games and cheering on Mary Lou Retton, Nadia Comaneci, Carl Lewis and so many others. I was awed and inspired by those athletes and everything that the Olympics stood for — hard work and teamwork, sportsmanship and an unyielding commitment to excellence.
This summer, the names have changed to Lolo Jones, Ryan Lochte, Gabby Douglas and others, but I still have those same feelings of awe and inspiration.
That's why it's a dream come true for me to lead the U.S. delegation to the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games on Friday. And I'm not going alone. I'll be with Olympic and Paralympic legends Brandi Chastain, Dominque Dawes, Gabriel Diaz de Leon, Grant Hill and Summer Sanders.
While I'm in the stands in London and when I'm watching on television back home, I'll join my fellow Americans in cheering for Team USA and celebrating everything our athletes achieve. Some of them will bring home a medal. Some will share their personal stories and the challenges they've overcome. And all of them will make our country proud, serving as role models for our children by inspiring them to get active, to strive for excellence and to pursue their dreams.
This summer and beyond, let's support Team USA not just by cheering them on, but also by urging our kids to live up to their example. We can start by getting our kids up and moving.
In support of my Let's Move! initiative to try to solve the problem of childhood obesity, the U.S. Olympic Committee, U.S. Paralympics and others recently committed to providing 1.7 million young people with the chance to participate in Olympic and Paralympic sports in their communities. These activities and clinics are open to kids of all skill levels, especially those playing sports for the very first time or playing a sport that's new to them. Sometimes all it takes is just one lesson, or clinic, or class to get a child excited about getting active. And that first step can lead to a lifelong passion for a sport or activity.
You can find a free or low-cost program in your community by visiting ahealthieramerica.org/olympics.
We're also working with communities to organize the first national Let's Move! Olympic Fun Day through Meetup.com this Saturday. Friends, family and neighbors can gather to support Team USA by attending or organizing fun, Olympic-inspired Meetups in your community.
You can find a Let's Move! Meetup near you or start one in your community by visiting www.letsmove.gov/meetup.
Finally, as we're cheering on Team USA, we can all make simple changes at home to help our families be healthier, such as drinking water instead of sugary drinks and adding more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to our diets.
We can also get active with our families — from taking a walk together after dinner to doing jumping jacks during Olympic commercial breaks. You can bring your children to play at the local playground, swim at the community pool, ride bikes around the neighborhood, or kick a soccer ball at the park. Think of it as your small part in bringing the Olympic spirit home.
I can't wait to see Team USA in action and to cheer on our athletes. And I can't wait to see what all of us can do together to inspire a generation to lead healthier, more active lives.
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Related: The First Lady takes Let's Move! global with Olympic co-branding
*White House photo
