Intro:

U.S. President Barack Obama gathered Team USA at the White House on Friday to honour the Olympians and Paralympians after the London Games.

Script:

Team USA gathered at the White House on Friday to meet their President, Barack Obama.

Together with his wife Michelle, President Obama honoured the U.S. athletes, who took home 104 medals - 46 of them gold.

SOUNDBITE: (English) US President Barack Obama:
"Most importantly, what you guys did was inspire us. You made us proud. And, as President, you made me especially proud to see how you conducted yourself on a world stage. You could not have been better ambassadors and better representatives for the United States and what we stand for. And one of the great things about watching our Olympics is we are a portrait of what this country is all about - people from every walk of life, every background, every race, every faith. It sends a message to the world about what makes America special. It speaks to the character of this group, how you guys carried yourselves. And it's even more impressive when you think about the obstacles that many of you have had to overcome not just to succeed at the games, but to get there in the first place."

Paralympic swimmer Brad Snyder, a Navy veteran - presented the Obamas with flags.

SOUNDBITE: (English), U.S. Paralympic Flag Bearer and Navy Veteran Brad Snyder:
"I had the distinct honour of closing out both the Olympics and paralympics by bearing our flag at the closing ceremonies a few days ago. I was thinking about it in retrospect, the toughest part of my recovery over the last year was the idea that my service was taken away from me. So to be able to throw on this new uniform, represent team USA, continue to serve and get back out there and like she said, get back in the fight, was amazing for my family. And it's really a privilege and an honour to stand in front of you today and present that flag that we carried both through the opening ceremonies all though the games and then again in the closing ceremonies - really glad to be the one to represent team USA and bring that flag home to you and our President. It's really a privilege. Thank you so much."

And afterwards the President greeted the Olympians, with everyone keen to immortalise a memory of the day.