Visit to the White House canceled. - 19.04.2010

One of the great honors of being an Olympian is after each Olympics the athletes travel to the White House to meet with the President, and then in the evening have dinner with members of Congress. I have already been to three of these events where I have met President Bill Clinton, and President George W. Bush twice. Therefore, I was looking forward to meeting President Obama as well. Unfortunately, I am currently in Europe where the big news is that the Volcano in Iceland has poured out so much ash that all airplanes have been grounded, including mine. I am deeply disappointed not to be able to attend the event, but I feel even worse for those who have been stuck in the airports for days without being able to leave.
This also adds yet another tragic chapter to my 2010 Olympic memories. Not all hope is lost for me, though. If President Obama is reelected, and if I make my 5th Olmypic Team in 2014, then I will be able to meet him after all.


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