Jill Biden has held a virtual meet-and-greet with several U.S. athletes who will compete at the Tokyo Games.
The U.S. first lady is in Tokyo to support the athletes and attend the opening ceremony.
She spoke virtually with Eddy Alvarez, a baseball player and short track speed skater, and basketball player Sue Bird. Both will be flagbearers for the U.S. at the opening ceremony.
She also spoke with Allison Schmitt, a four-time Olympic swimmer and mental health advocate.
Biden told the athletes that they'd given up a lot to be in Tokyo and relied on support from family and friends.
On Saturday, she'll dedicate a room in the residence of the U.S. chief of mission to former U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, and his wife, Irene Hirano Inouye.
She will host a U.S.-vs.-Mexico softball watch party at the U.S. Embassy for staff and their families and cheer U.S. athletes competing in several events before leaving Tokyo.
The Olympics formally kicked off Friday in Tokyo after a year-long delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The games are taking place while Japan is under a state of emergency amid a rise in cases.
