Escambia County’s Justin Gatlin, Team USA Honored At White House

September 15, 2012

Escambia County Olympian Justin Gatlin and the rest of Team USA were welcomed to the White House Friday to honor their participation and success in this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.

At an event on the South Lawn, Mrs. Obama told the athletes that she was impressed not only by the 200-plus medals they brought home, but also by their dedication and hard work leading up to the games.

“I want you to know how inspired we are by all of you — your passion, your dedication, your courage,” First Lady Michelle Obama said the during the event on the South Lawn.

President Barack Obama — who shared that he was able to catch some of the Olympic events thanks to mastering his DVR — told the athletes that they “could not have been better ambassadors and better representatives for the United States and what we stand for”.

During the 2012 Olympics Gatlin won the bronze in the men’s 100m dash and, along with his team, took the silver in the men’s 4×100 meter relay.

“I went out there to challenge a mountain,” Gatlin said after winning the bronze. “I went out there to challenge the odds.”

Pictured top: Escambia County Olympian Justin Gatlin (far left) and Team USA were welcome to the White House Friday. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

3 Responses to “Escambia County’s Justin Gatlin, Team USA Honored At White House”

  1. xpeecee on September 15th, 2012 9:20 pm

    Way to go! Pensacola is proud of you, Justin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Marcus on September 15th, 2012 10:02 am

    “I just want to let you all know, that all that hard training, injuries, blood, sweat, tears and through all your success, even if you earned a gold medal, you didn’t earn that.” – Unknown

  3. Joani on September 15th, 2012 7:46 am

    WTG Justin!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports