Yahoo Sports Jill Biden may attend Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony: 'We're trying to work that out now'
Though the upcoming Tokyo Olympics will look extremely different due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the strict safety protocols in place, the White House is working to send first lady Jill Biden to the Opening Ceremony next month, according to CNN.
President Joe Biden was asked on Tuesday if his wife would head to the Olympics for the ceremony, which is set to kick off on July 23. While there isn’t anything set in stone, officials have “been in discussions” to make it happen.
“Well, we’re trying to work that out now,” he said Tuesday, via CNN. “That’s the plan.”
A final decision on her possible trip, per the report, is anticipated later this week.
Should she head to the Olympics, the first lady would be among the few international members unrelated to the Games allowed to attend at all. The organizing committee has already announced that all international fans will be unable to attend due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and is only planning to allow a limited number of local fans attend events.
Only about 11% of Japan is fully vaccinated, per The New York Times, and there has been significant opposition to the Games inside the country.
Former Vice President Mike Pence attended the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, to head up the United States’ delegation. Former President Barack Obama did not attend the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, but he did send a delegation led by Secretary of State John Kerry. Former first lady Michelle Obama led the delegation at the 2012 Games in London, too.
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