Gymnast Fred Richard Reveals What Jill Biden Told Him During Surprise Meeting After Olympic Qualifications

Jill Biden previously spoke to the families of U.S. athletes ahead of the opening ceremony in Paris

When Team USA’s men’s gymnastics team competed in their qualification round at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, there was a very famous face in the audience, albeit unknown to them: first lady Dr. Jill Biden.

Biden, 73, dropped by Paris’s Bercy Arena to cheer on Fred Richard, Paul Juda, Brody Malone, Asher Hong and Stephen Nedoroscik, and surprised the group afterward with a brief meeting.

“That was pretty sick,” Richard told reporters afterward. “I mean, I did not expect today that I would meet the first lady, but I’m very thankful for the opportunity and I’m glad they're watching. I mean, that’s powerful too.”

When asked what Biden said to him during their chat, Richard, 20, said she had kind words and encouragement.

“[She said] that she’s very proud of me and was impressed and that means a lot,” he revealed. “I wish I showed her a cooler floor routine! Today I was a little.. Yeah, but it’s alright.”

Related: Team USA Gymnast Paul Juda Cries as He Praises Support of Gymnast Girlfriend and Family at Olympics: 'It's Pretty Sweet'

Richard had a successful day on the mats, and scored an impressive 14.166 on high bar. The U.S. currently stands second in the all-around rankings with 253.229.

His teammate both on Team USA and at the University of Michigan, Paul Juda, meanwhile, also told reporters that meeting Biden was unexpected.

“I’m still in shock. They were like, ‘Oh, you’re celebrities!’ And I was like, ‘No, I’m just a gymnast from Deerfield, Illinois. I’m just an American,’” he said. “To have her support, to have people like her support you… She said, ‘Everybody from home supports you, the president, the staff, Team USA from home.’ Yeah, it’s insane.”

Related: 2024 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony Recap: Lady Gaga Sings, Team USA Floats and Céline Dion Makes a Comeback

Biden, whose husband, President Joe Biden, announced earlier this month that he will no longer run for reelection, spoke to the families of U.S. athletes in a speech at the residence of the U.S. ambassador to France ahead of the opening ceremony, according to the Associated Press.

“As they leap and sprint and turn, America’s athletes aren’t only propelled by the years of sweat and sacrifice they’ve poured into their training,” she said. “Your love is also there, pushing them further, helping them go faster, lifting them higher as they reach for gold.”

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