First Lady Jill Biden was part of a celebrity lineup at the 2024 Olympic Games kickoff party on July 25, after President Joe Biden stepped out of the presidential race. The gathering, which took place at the Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris, France, brought together well-known personalities from different sectors such as sports, entertainment, and politics.
The guest list featured notable figures like tennis icon Serena Williams, actress Charlize Theron, rockstar Mick Jagger, and actress Zendaya. The event was orchestrated by Vogue editor Anna Wintour, and Louis Vuitton’s men’s creative director Pharrell Williams, setting up a glamorous lead-up to the Olympic festivities. French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, were also in attendance, along with high-profile individuals such as basketball star LeBron James, tennis player Novak Djokovic, and director Steven Spielberg.
Attendees entered the event via a three-lane track, a departure from the typical red carpet, reflecting the athletic spirit of the Games. The Olympic medals, designed by Louis Vuitton for the 2024 Games, were showcased prominently, reinforcing the evening’s theme.
Adorned in a white pantsuit, Jill Biden interacted with guests throughout the event. Earlier that day, she had met with U.S. athletes to express encouragement before the Games started. During her speech, she mentioned President Biden’s decision to not run in the 2024 election, which was met with applause from the athletes. “Thank you. I’ll take that home to him,” she replied.
In a significant move, Biden joined a relay handoff with members of the U.S. track and field team at an Olympic training center in Paris’ northern suburbs. She interacted with American athletes from the women’s rugby team and the track and field team, wishing them success, hugging some, taking pictures, and even participating in a stationary relay drill.
Biden’s visit to the training center was part of a wider initiative to support and inspire U.S. athletes as they prepared for the Games. At the residence of the U.S. ambassador to France, Denise Bauer, Biden addressed the families of U.S. athletes, expressing her support and best wishes for their loved ones competing in the Olympics.
Later in the evening, Biden attended a welcome reception at the Élysée Palace hosted by President Macron and Brigitte Macron. The event, attended by 85 heads of state including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, underscored the international cooperation and camaraderie that the Olympic Games embody.
First Lady Jill Biden’s activities in Paris, from meeting athletes to attending high-profile events, demonstrated her commitment to both national and international engagement. Her presence in Paris underscored the United States’ support for its athletes and served as a diplomatic gesture following President Biden’s recent announcement about the 2024 election.
Continuing her duties, Biden attended the 2024 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony on Friday. The ceremony, in heavy rain, attracted over 300,000 spectators and featured a procession of Olympic athletes, many in rain ponchos, on boats along the Seine River, a first for an Olympic opening ceremony. Over 45,000 police officers and gendarmes ensured security for the event.
The Opening Ceremony presented a “portrait of Paris,” celebrating the city’s diversity and cultural heritage. Celebrities such as Celine Dion and Lady Gaga either performed or made appearances during the festivities. Coco Gauff and LeBron James served as the U.S. flag bearers, symbolizing the nation’s pride and athletic prowess.
Following the Opening Ceremony, Jill Biden spoke at a brunch to celebrate the start of the Games and the upcoming 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who accompanied Biden on the trip, joined her at this event. The brunch served as an opportunity to highlight the continuous spirit of the Olympics and the anticipation for the next host city in the United States.
Jill Biden’s active participation and support for U.S. athletes highlighted her dedication to representing the country on the global stage. Her interactions with athletes, dignitaries, and celebrities alike underscore the varied role of the First Lady in nurturing international relationships and promoting national pride.
