With the 2024 Olympics officially kicking off Friday, politicos from Washington, D.C., and campaigners from around the country are starting to look for ways to stretch their own political muscles.
First lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff are leading presidential delegations that will appear at the opening and closing ceremonies, respectively.
The first lady’s delegation includes:
- U.S. Ambassador to France Denise Campbell Bauer
- Delaware Sen. Chris Coons
- California Sen. Alex Padilla
- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (where the 2028 Olympics are scheduled to be held)
- Casey Wasserman, chairperson of the 2028 Olympics and Paralympic Games
- Three-time Olympic figure skater Brian Boitano
- Three-time Olympic gold medalist and University of South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley.
The second gentleman’s delegation to the closing ceremony includes Campbell Bauer; Sen. Laphonza Butler and Rep. Robert Garcia, both of California; four-time track Olympian Chaunte Lowe; and two-time gold medal soccer player Briana Scurry.
The first lady touched down Thursday in Paris where she delivered a speech and met with U.S. athletes and their families (you can watch her speech here, and you can check out some of her interactions with Olympic athletes themselves here, including a little relay practice with women from the U.S. track team).








