U.S. Olympians Pay Visit to Reagan at the White House

He was scrupulously careful not to leave anyone out.

President Reagan, welcoming members of the U.S. Winter Olympic team to the White House Tuesday, paid public tribute to every American who contributed a memorable moment to the 1988 Calgary Games.

And he made a point of downplaying that the United States came away with only six medals.

“There’s been a lot of talk--too much talk in my opinion--about the number of medals that weren’t won,” he said. “The heart of the Olympics is the sport and the competition.”

Reagan, speaking in the White House Rose Garden under brilliant sunshine, said: “We have hundreds of groups here each year, but I can’t think of any that I’m prouder of than you. Years of practice and years of dedication, years of dreaming and working for your dreams have made each one of you--medal or no medal--an American champion and an American success story.”

Flanked by the top U.S. athletes and by Robert H. Helmick, president of the United States Olympic Committee, Reagan first noted the triumph of speed skater Bonnie Blair, who won gold and bronze medals and set a world record in the 500 meters.

“When she was asked how she did it, Bonnie said: ‘I think I just got it on guts,’ ” he said, as Blair looked on. “Well, one thing I noticed on TV when Bonnie won--that ‘Blair Bunch,’ Bonnie’s family as well as her friends from the Champaign, Ill., police department, cheering her on. I have a hunch that love and support of both family and community helped Bonnie find those guts.”

Turning to men’s figure skating gold medalist Brian Boitano, Reagan said: “Is there anyone who’s soared the way you did in your gold medal-winning long program?”

Reagan then spoke of Eric Flaim, speed skating silver medalist in the 1,500 meters who was not present, saying he “flew as he captured one silver . . . and just missed three bronzes.” Of Jill Watson and Peter Oppegard, the pairs figure skating bronze medalists, he said: “You were a thrill to watch.”

To figure skater Debi Thomas, who had sought the gold but came away with the bronze instead, the President said: “Sometimes when I look at everything you’ve done and are doing--Olympic skater, pre-med student--I wonder if your name should be Debi, or Superwoman.

“I know that you draw a lot of your strength from the strength and love and example of your mother,” he continued. “Yes, you were disappointed with your bronze. But the grace with which you accepted your disappointment won you a gold medal in the heart of every American.”

Reagan then looked out into the audience where speed skater Dan Jansen sat. Jansen, whose sister died on the day of his first competition, fell during his two attempts to win a medal.

“Talking about gold medals from America’s heart, there’s one that goes to Dan Jansen for his courage, and one that goes to his family too,” the President said. “Their devotion to each other captured the heart and earned the admiration of our entire land. Dan, you received the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Olympic Spirit award--and everyone here and around the country applauds the committee’s choice.

“You dedicated that honor to your sister, her memory, and your entire family. And now you’re back in competition and No. 1 in World Cup points,” he continued. “Yes, your family is very precious in your life and, if recently a cause of great sadness, it is also a source of great strength, and that strength is an inspiration to the entire world.”

Reagan spoke of the disabled athletes who participated in demonstration events, and, of the other non-medalists, praised Bonny Warner--who placed sixth in the women’s luge--and Alpine skier Pam Fletcher, “who returned to the slopes two hours after breaking her leg in a practice run to cheer for her teammates.”