 The President of the United States and Mrs. Reagan. Thank you very much. Good afternoon and welcome to the White House. Nancy and I just want you to know how proud all of us, your families, your friends and countrymen, how proud we are at the job that you did representing us in Sarajevo. And we were all watching and were by your side spared at least during the entire competition. We're aware of the enormous commitment of time and effort that your participation in the Winter Olympics represents. It's said that in sports it's not just the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference. And it took enormous preparation for you to compete and we're grateful for your dedication. Whether you won or lost, you're now part of that elite group of citizens who represented our country in the Olympic Games. It's a distinction that will be yours for the rest of your lives. For those of you who won medals, we have a special word of thanks. The competition was fierce and your achievement was well deserved. You've proven that a free country like ours, where support for the Olympics is totally voluntary, can hold its own against societies which subsidize their athletes. Debbie Armstrong, you're not only one of our first gold medal at the Games, you're also the first American woman to win a gold medal in Olympic skiing competitions since 1972. Your victory was especially sweet. So congratulations to you and many thanks for giving us all a big lift in spirit, I can tell you. And Scott Hamilton, the image of you skating a victory lap, waving the red, white and blue is now fixed in the memory of this nation. Your battle against a childhood illness and your commitment to the years of practice and training needed to excel on the ice now are indeed an inspiration and now you hold three world championships and a fresh Olympic gold medal. Getty and Peter Carruthers, you've taken another step up from your showing in Lake Placid four years ago. Your silver medal in the Paris competition adds another accomplishment to a great career that's included many national titles and world team appearances for our country. Rosalind Summers at the young age of 19 took home a silver medal for figure skating and you add that to the world and national championships you've been winning. No wonder you're the honorary mayor of your hometown, Edmunds, Washington. If the burden gets too heavy, just get in touch and we'll talk things over. I know there are days like that, but I'm sure they're all very proud of you. And Rosalind with you, Scott Hamilton and the rest of the fine skaters America is well represented in the ice. And that goes for all our medal winners, the Murray Brothers, Phil and Steve, Bill Johnson who smoked them, and Christine Cooper too. All of you here who competed and those who couldn't be with us, you gave your country thrills beyond description. Most important you reminded us that the qualities of personal commitment, courage, character and heart are the mark of greatness and sport. You have your country's thanks and best wishes. And believe me, all Americans, Republicans, Democrats, independents from whatever race, religion or creed, we're all on the same team in this cheering you on. This year's winter contests were in the finest tradition of the Olympics. I've read of the warmth and enthusiasm with which the citizens of Sarajevo greeted athletes and visitors from around the world. I'm sure that the people of our country will be equally as friendly and hospitable, particularly those in Southern California who will actively host the Summer Olympic Games. I was out in California not too long ago. You undoubtedly read that. And they're leaving no stone unturned in preparation for the Games. The city of Los Angeles has rolled out the welcome mat, and I'm certain that the teams and visitors from around the world are going to feel as welcome as all of you did in Sarajevo. In closing, I'd like to offer a special note of congratulations to two other American medal winners in Winter Olympic sports. Mike May and Ron Sarriolo. Mike skis better blind than most sighted skiers. And your skill and your spirit are doing much to encourage others who might otherwise needlessly limit their own expectations. Mike, you and the other competitors here are testimony to all young people that they should never be afraid to dream big dreams. And they should never hesitate to try to make those dreams a reality. I participated in sports quite a while ago. Today I work a little bit upstairs at the gym and staying fit. Then my other favorite exercise is exercising a horse. And with my experience in high school and college athletics, I know as the years go by and I look back, more and more I see them as providing just as much education and as much benefit for me in later life than any of the things that happen in a classroom or a lecture hall. And I know in the years ahead all of you will feel the same way about your experience in the Olympics. So thank you all for being such fine representatives of our country. Thank you especially for being here today. And now let's get behind the summer team for the next round of the Olympics in Los Angeles and again God bless you all. I've been elected on behalf of the athletes to say a few words and it's really a thrill and an honor for me to be able to address the President directly. My heart again. Personally I'd like to thank you for calling me after I won my medal. I'm sorry if I was short with you, but I'm short with most people. I know as President of the United States you're also the honorary President of the Olympic Committee, but I don't think that's enough. And I just hope I'm speaking in the hearts of all the athletes here. We would like you to be a member of the Olympic team with all of us and we have some gifts for you. First we have this plaque with all the different disciplines of all the sports and their pins, their official pins, and we'd like you to have this. Well thank you very much. And secondly what kind of team member would you be if you couldn't be recognized in the street as an Olympic athlete? We have this jacket, our official jacket from Levi's and we'd like you to have that and also these pins. And thank you from all of us for sharing your afternoon with us and for having you. I know it's an extreme honor and a thrill for all of us to finally meet you. Thank you very much. Thank you all very much. We're very greatly honored and I have to confess to you that I once did have some dreams myself, but it was before the water froze I was going to do it in swimming. I'm glad you're in college. I got there. So finally I've made the Olympic team. Oh, all right. Well, I think we're good to go. How do you see what you do for us? It's really wonderful. That's nice. I was so nervous. Didn't you come across, Terri? You're wonderful. You came across fine. And you give my best to your family. I will. Oh, I tried. It just happened the bad day I was in Seattle. Oh, that's great. They were excited to hear this call. You should try. I tried. I tried. Good job. All right. Especially the ones in here. Oh, sure. Yeah, let's listen.