NEW YORK — Going into Wednesday’s 100 Day Countdown to the Rio Olympics, wrestler Jordan Burroughs thought it would be a normal day promoting the Summer Games along with dozens of Team USA athletes.
But then the 2012 Olympic gold medalist got a call from the office of the First Lady of the United States on Tuesday night, asking him to introduce Michelle Obama the next morning.
“I was more nervous because of her stature and her status,” Burroughs said at the event. “I’ve spoken in front of large crowds and many cameras on many occasions, but I just wanted to do her justice because she is amazing.”
Lucky for him, Obama’s office helped him with what to say before she joined him on stage to congratulate the athletes and briefly discuss the importance of children being inspired by Olympians’ determination and “unyielding commitment to excellence.”
To help solve childhood obesity, the First Lady launched her Let’s Move! initiative in 2010, encouraging kids to participate in physical activities and eat healthier food.
“These men and women are really the best role models for our kids,” Obama said about the 75 athletes at the event. “So we don’t just want our young people to watch them, we want them to try these sports themselves.”
Burroughs, who has qualified for Rio, said he was surprised he was selected to introduce Obama but is grateful for the exclusive opportunity. He applauded her message and said getting kids involved in sports is a necessary goal for the country with which he’s happy to help.
“The grand concept of the Olympics games is to get young people active and to get them to pursue dreams,” he said. “Not just dreams of being amazing people, but dreams of being amazing in all facets of life, spiritually, physically and emotionally.”
