Vogue Magazine, which did not feature first lady Melania Trump, lavished praise on first lady Jill Biden, suggesting that Biden, who is leading the delegation to the Olympic Games despite not being an official employee of the United States government, will save a “faltering,” audience-less Tokyo Olympics.
“While Tokyo will be the first no-spectators Olympics, Dr. Biden will be among the select dignitaries and VIPs in the stands at Olympic Stadium on Friday for the opening ceremonies, “following strict protocols and precautions” from the White House COVID team, the Japanese government, and the Olympics, according to her press secretary,” Vogue crowed Thursday.
“The Olympics could likely use a dose of Dr. Biden (herself a marathon runner) after a rash of demoralizing PR, from the International Swimming Federation’s exclusionary ban on swim caps for natural hair to a fine levied at the Norwegian women’s beach handball team for wearing shorts instead of bikini briefs and an all-out ban on protests and demonstrations at the Olympics during an ongoing movement for racial and social justice,” the magazine gushed.
Lest her gender go unnoticed, Vogue also credited Biden with being a feminist presence that could challenge the Olympic patriarchy: “It’s worth noting that an all-powerful IOC president reigns over most decisions; there have only been 9 in 125 years, and all have been white men.”
First lady Jill Biden, the official head of the United States delegation to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, spent her first day in Japan meeting with foreign dignitaries, including the Japanese Prime Minister, and then addressed Team USA over Zoom rather than in person.
Biden also sent a letter of encouragement to Team USA before meeting individually with the two flag bearers, Cuban-American baseball player Eddy Alvarez and women’s basketball player Sue Bird.
‘Your entire nation is cheering you on and we are grateful for what you’ve given us: the chance to come together in common awe and appreciation for your accomplishments and the shared joy of rooting for our country on the edge of our seats,” Biden said in a statement. “In these moments, we are more than our cities or states or backgrounds. We are more than our jobs or our political parties. We are united. We are all, first and foremost, Team USA.”
Biden did not address the several members of Team USA who are likely to engage in political protest during the games. Instead, she said that Olympic athletes “bring us together in a way that little else can. You remind us that with dedication, hard work, courage and teamwork, incredible things are possible.”
Despite being vaccinated against COVID-19, Biden chose to keep her distance from American Olympic athletes, speaking virtually to the flag-bearers and several select members of Team USA, according to The Hill.
Biden appeared Friday night at the “muted” Olympic opening ceremonies, standing by herself in one of the billion-dollar stadium’s outdoor boxes, wearing a mask.