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Jill Biden drowned her sorrows in champagne and a night of partying with Serena Williams, Charlize Theron, Mick Jagger and Zendaya after her husband Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race. The first lady, who is leading the U.S. delegation to the Olympic Games opening ceremony, joined A-list stars at the Prelude to the 2024 Olympic Games party on Thursday night.
She was spotted in a white pantsuit as she chatted with guests at the event. Biden is on the cover of Vogue’s August issue. Guests were surprised and delighted to run into the First Lady, Vogue noted in its coverage and photos of the event. Held at the Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and Louis Vuitton men’s creative director Pharrell William welcomed guests inside ahead of the opening ceremony on Friday.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte were also in attendance, along with LeBron James, Novak Djokovic, Ian Thorpe, Tyrese Haliburton, Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, Soop Dogg, Tyla, Jeremy Allen White, Queen Latifah and Alan Cumming. The party was organized by Vogue in partnership with luxury goods company LVMH, which is the title sponsor of the Games.
Instead of a red carpet, guests walked a three-lane track to the event, featuring the Olympic gold, silver and bronze pieces that Louis Vuitton designed for the 2024 Games. Earlier Thursday, the First Lady met with American athletes to pump them up before the games began.
Her meeting with them, however, had a wistful element, as she alluded to Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the presidential race. The athletes applauded her and gave her a warm welcome. The First Lady sat in the Oval Office on Wednesday night as President Biden explained to the nation why he was withdrawing from the 2024 race. She then boarded a plane to Paris to represent the United States.
She referred to her husband’s words when she spoke Thursday morning. “When Team USA glides through the opening ceremony tomorrow night, they are carrying more than just our flag. They are carrying the heart of our nation and our hopes,” she told the athletes at the reception at the French ambassador’s residence.
“That’s what I love about our country: that we’re united and that together we can achieve anything. President Biden has led our country with that hope always in his heart. As he says — ” And here the guests burst into applause. Jill Biden expressed her gratitude.
“Thank you,” she said, “I’ll take that home with me. And as he says, there’s nothing America can’t do when we do it together. And we’re seeing that now, especially at the Olympics.” Later, Jill Biden literally passed the baton when she met members of the U.S. track and field team at the practice track outside Paris. The team recruited her to be the first leg of a stationary relay handoff.
On Friday morning, the First Lady was at the Élysée Palace for a welcome reception hosted by Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron. Some 85 heads of state were expected at the reception, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The First Lady will later attend the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games. Following Friday’s opening ceremony, Biden will speak at a brunch to commemorate the opening of the Games and celebrate the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. LA Mayor Karen Bass was among those accompanying Biden on the trip to Paris.
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