Sanderson, U.S. wrestlers meet with former President George Bush

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John Fuller (USA Wrestling)
08/13/2004


Click Here To View Photos    Athens, Greece - Friday the 13th is supposed to bring bad luck to people, but on this day, it brought good luck to the U.S. delegation at the Olympic Games.    Former President of the United States George Bush met with members of the U.S. delegation at the American College of Greece, and his wife Barbara was presented with an Olympic jacket by 2003 World freestyle wrestling silver medalist Cael Sanderson.    Sanderson was joined on the stage by tennis legend and 1988 Olympian Chris Evert, Bush's granddaughters and Greek political and religious figures.    During a short statement by Chair of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Board of Directors Peter Ueberroth, Bush was referred to as the "most athletic President." Ueberroth followed with stories of Bush's baseball and tennis careers.    Bush then spoke briefly, lighting up the crowd with jokes of his sports career which included a match with Evert.    Sanderson and Ueberroth then presented Mr. and Mrs. Bush with official 2004 U.S. Olympic Team coats. Ueberroth placed a coat on George Bush and Sanderson placed a coat on Barbara Bush.    "Barbara wanted a young guy to put the coat on her," George Bush commented.    After Bush once again thanked the entire U.S. delegation and wished the athletes good luck, he embarked on a tour of the American College of Greece (ACG), where as many as 16 U.S. teams are training for the Olympic Games.    The first stop on the tour was in the facility housing wrestling, judo, taekwondo and fencing.    Bush met with all U.S. wrestlers, taking time to converse and take photos with the individuals.    1984 Olympic gold medalist and 2004 Olympic Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser presented Barbara Bush with an Olympic Team jersey, while 1992 Olympic gold medalist and 2004 Olympic Men's Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson presented George Bush with a USA Wrestling polo shirt.    2004 Greco-Roman Olympian Brad Vering, the first Greco-Roman Olympian born in the state of Nebraska, made sure to pull Bush aside and get a short conversation about fly fishing with him, bringing a smile to Bush's face.    On his way out of the building, George Bush noticed Sanderson shadow drilling in the center of the mat. He stopped and observed before again pulling Sanderson aside and wishing him luck in the Olympic Games.    "Thank you for coming here," Bush said.    "Thank you for coming here," Sanderson replied. "It means a lot to us."    It was clear that on this day, George Bush was extremely impressed with the Olympic wrestlers.     "I have always had a strong interest in the sport of wrestling, but rarely have I been able to take time to meet these incredible athletes," George Bush said. "Today, I have seen the human side to all of these great stories, and it makes me even more proud to be able to lead the U.S. delegation into the Olympic Games."    Wrestling competition begins in nine days with women's freestyle August 22-23, Greco-Roman August 24-26 and men's freestyle August 27-29.    Many of the U.S. wrestlers will march in this evening's opening ceremonies at the Olympic Stadium.