Posted on 08/08/2008 5:16:12 PM PDT by silent_jonny
Today President & Mrs. Bush attended the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Before the ceremonies, the President met personally with all the US Olympic Athletes and encouraged them to “go for it, give it all you've got” and reminded them that the American people will be cheering for them back home. (Transcript)
I wasn't exactly sure what to say to you, except to start with, God, I love our country and I love what we stand for. (Applause.) And I love being with you.
Earlier today President Bush was joined by his father, former President George H. W. Bush, for the dedication of the new US embassy in Beijing. [GHWB served as the Envoy to China during the Ford administration. He and his wife Barbara lived in the country for 14 months between 1975 and 1976.] (Transcript)
President GHWB: I was feeling sentimental when I told Barbara, my wife, that my old office would be occupied by the talented translators who work in the Public Affairs Office. (Laughter.) But as usual, she snapped out -- "You mean they got someone in your office who can speak the language?" (Laughter.)Barbara and I studied an hour a day, five days a week, but to be honest, one of the great challenges were these Chinese lessons that she and I took together. She simply refused to follow the very sacred "no laughing rule" as I spoke. (Laughter.) I was soon hoping that she would transfer out of my class. (Laughter.)
President & Mrs. Bush attended a banquet for visiting world leaders and Olympic officials in the Great Hall of People in Beijing.
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island 
President GHWB: Thank you very much. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you, Ambassador. Mr. President, all you distinguished guests, including the man that was responsible for my coming out here in 1974 -- Henry Kissinger, here. Delighted to see him. (Applause.) And of course, many friends -- lao peng you -- from China, so pleased to see you all here. Thank you for coming …Let me start by noting that this week has a homecoming feel to it. Barbara and I always welcome the chance we have to come back to China. In fact, I think this is my 19th or 20th visit since I left the presidency, since leaving the White House. But to be here at this special time, special time in China's history, to be back in the embassy where I was proud to have served, and to be here with the members of Bush family who share our love for China and its people, is particularly gratifying, particularly moving for me.
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President GHWB: But as special as any visit to China is for us, as historic as it is to be here for the start of 2008 Summer Olympics and this new embassy opening, it means the most to us to be here with our family. That includes our daughter Doro, who was baptized here; and that includes certainly our President and First Lady; includes our son, Marvin, who is here with us today, and his wife Margaret; and everyone here.The President and the First Lady have served with such honor, served with courage and class during a historically challenging time for our nation and the world. And I am so very proud of him. (Applause.)
And so, with no further ado, the President of the United States. (Applause.)
These threads are always so great . Thank You !!!
Mrs. Laura Bush stands with Mrs. Sarah Randt, spouse of U.S. Ambassador to China Sandy Randt, left, Mrs. Anne Johnson, Director of Art in Embassies Program, and Ms. Barbara Bush during applause for President George W. Bush Friday, Aug. 8, 2008, at the dedication ceremony for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. White House photo by Shealah Craighead
President Bush: Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. (Laughter.) It is quite an honor to be introduced by your dad. This has got to be a historic moment: father and son, two Presidents, opening up an embassy. (Applause.) I suspect it's the first, although I must confess I haven't done a lot of research into the itinerary of the Adams boys. (Laughter.) …I'm honored to represent the United States at the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games here in Beijing. And I'm looking forward to cheering our athletes on. (Applause.) Mr. Ambassador, I'm not making any predictions about medal counts -- (laughter) -- but I can tell you the U.S. athletes are ready to come and compete, in the spirit of friendship.
You know, during my last visit here I had the opportunity to break in the mountain biking course. I was so proud of my efforts, I told Laura I was thinking about entering the competition myself. (Laughter.) She reminded me they don't give any medals for last place. (Laughter.) …
I'm honored to be with you. I appreciate the honor of dedicating this new embassy. And I'm looking forward to going to the Games. God bless. (Applause.)
U.S. Ambassador to China Sandy Randt gives a thumbs-up to President George W. Bush and former President George H.W. Bush after they cut the ceremonial ribbon during a dedication Friday, Aug. 8, 2008, for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. At right is Dai Bingguo, State Councilor, People’s Republic of China. White House photo by Shealah Craighead
President Bush: Congratulations for representing the finest nation on the face of the Earth. (Applause.) The honorary captain and I are proud to be with you. We're here to wish you all the very best.I first want to say thanks to the U.S. Olympic Committee, chaired by Peter Ueberroth, CEO Jim Scherr, Judge Charles Lee. I wasn't exactly sure what to say to you, except to start with, God, I love our country and I love what we stand for. (Applause.) And I love being with you.
Laura and I and a lot of our family are here to cheer you on. We're just a handful of a lot of folks who care about you a lot. There are going to be a lot of people pulling for you. We want you to win as many golds as you possibly can. (Applause.)
We appreciate all the hard work you've put in to get to this spot. It's got to be really exciting -- thinking about marching in that stadium and representing our country. So I guess all I've got to say is, go for it, give it all you've got, and may God bless you. (Applause.)
With the United States men's volleyball team
With the United States shooting team
JONNY!
The pix in post 23 with Bush the Elder, and Dubya shaking hands at the dedication of a new embassy MUST be ones for the history books. I loved Dubya’s remark about the “Adams boys.”
But the picture of Dubya crossing the stage in response to his father’s introduction, and saying something to make him laugh really intrigued me. I keep trying to guess what he said. I just love that man.
Laura seems to like Nicholas Sarkozy. Remember the look on her face when Jacque Chirac kissed her hand??!!
Gosh! I love these pics of W and his dad—especially the one where they’re both leaning back in their chairs. Cool.
Awesome pictures tonight.
Lopez Lomong, a survivor of the violence in his native Sudan, now a U.S. citizen, was selected by his teammates to lead the U.S. Olympic team into Olympic National Stadium carrying the United States Flag at the Opening Ceremony.
Mrs. Laura Bush with U.S. Flag Bearer Lopez Lomong as she greets members of the U.S. Summer Olympic Team at the Fencing Hall in Beijing on August 8, 2008.
President George W. Bush greets athletes from the United States Olympic team during the opening day of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, China.
President George W. Bush poses for a photo with members of the United States Olympic team during a visit by the President on the opening day of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, China.
Thanks, jonny. These are great pictures. Some of them got through my firewall and showed on my screen but most did not, so I disabled the fire wall and now I can see them all. Well worth the trouble because I love seeing our US teams. These athletes have been training for years at great personal expense for this.
President George W. Bush poses with athletes from the United States Olympic team on the opening day of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, China.
President George W. Bush poses for a photo with the United States women's Olympic waterpolo team on the opening day of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, China.
I don't have an exact quote, but several people watching the NBC coverage of the Olympics said they saw an interview of the US Womens Volleball Team--the team reportedly said that their favorite part of the Olympics so far was meeting President Bush. :)
thanks for the pictures, jonny, they are great.
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