South Carolina HC Dawn Staley poses with First Lady Jill Biden at Paris while laying foundations for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley shared a memorable moment with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden in Paris during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Olympics, laying the groundwork for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

On Friday, Dr. Biden visited the Olympic Aquatics Center to cheer on Team USA in women’s water polo against Greece. Despite President Joe Biden's recent withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, Jill Biden made the trip to Paris with a delegation that included LA 2028 chairperson Casey Wasserman, former Olympian Brian Boitano and Coach Staley.

In a joyful Instagram post, Staley captioned her photo with the First Lady:

“@flotus LADIES FIRST in Paris and onto LA. #Olympic2024 #Olympic2028.”

According to USA Today, the delegation also included U.S. Ambassador to France Denise Bauer, Senators Chris Coons and Alex Padilla, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Vanessa Valdivia, the First Lady’s spokesperson, expressed Dr. Biden's enthusiasm for the Games and support for Team USA.

“The First Lady is excited to head to the Olympic Games, where we are all united as a country in support of one team: Team USA,” Valdivia said, via CNN.

Dr. Biden proudly backed American athletes on the official first day of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Dawn Staley’s appointment to the presidential delegation marks another unforgettable achievement

Staley, an Olympic legend and celebrated coach, is set to join a special delegation at the Aug. 11 closing ceremony. With a storied career capped by four gold medals — three as a player and one as a coach — Staley's inclusion is a proud moment for the University of South Carolina, highlighted by USC Athletic Director Ray Tanner.

“Dawn Staley is a United States Olympic icon – four gold medals, three as a player and one as a head coach, for the USA women’s basketball team, the flag bearer for Team USA at the 2004 Olympic opening ceremonies, and now a member of the U.S. presidential delegation who will represent our country at the Paris opening ceremonies,” Tanner said.

This announcement closely followed President Joe Biden's decision to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the upcoming election, a move Staley publicly supported.

As a key figure in sports and now in this prestigious role, Staley continues to inspire, having recently led USC's women's basketball team to their third national championship.