White House Celebrates Olympic Achievements

The historic relationship between the Olympics and the White House continues to inspire national pride.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The White House has long been a stage for honoring Olympic and Paralympic athletes, with presidents hosting formal receptions, celebrations, and performances to recognize their achievements as representatives of the nation. From figure skater Peggy Fleming's White House visit in 1968 to the 'Miracle on Ice' hockey team's arrival on Air Force One in 1980, these moments have become iconic, blurring the line between sports and state while capturing the nation's imagination.

Why it matters

The White House's relationship with the Olympics reflects how athletic excellence can transcend arenas and medals, becoming symbols of national pride and unity. These visits demonstrate the significance of Olympic achievements in the American consciousness, offering generations of citizens moments of optimism and inspiration.

The details

Over the decades, the White House has welcomed countless Olympians and Paralympians, honoring them in ceremonies, state dinners, and informal receptions. As the world looks ahead to the 2026 Winter Games in Milan Cortina and the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, the tradition continues, reminding Americans that Olympic greatness extends beyond the competition.

  • In 1968, President Johnson invited figure skater Peggy Fleming to the White House after her gold medal win at the Grenoble Winter Games.
  • In 1980, Peggy Fleming returned to the White House and performed a skating exhibition on the South Lawn during a holiday celebration.
  • Also in 1980, the 'Miracle on Ice' U.S. men's Olympic hockey team was flown from Lake Placid to Washington on Air Force One and welcomed at the White House by President Carter.

The players

Peggy Fleming

An American figure skater who won gold at the 1968 Grenoble Winter Olympics, reviving the American figure skating program after a tragedy involving the entire national team in 1961.

Herb Brooks

The head coach of the 1980 U.S. men's Olympic hockey team, whose 'Miracle on Ice' victory over the heavily favored Soviet Union team became an enduring symbol of perseverance against all odds.

Ronald Reagan

The president who, along with first lady Nancy Reagan, watched the opening ceremony of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games from the press box of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the first time a sitting American president opened an Olympic Games.

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What they’re saying

“Olympic and Paralympic athletes have long captured this spirit, bringing home medals and stories that have inspired the nation.”

— Stewart McLaurin, President, White House Historical Association

“Their victory resonated far beyond sports, capturing the nation's imagination during the height of the Cold War.”

— Stewart McLaurin, President, White House Historical Association

What’s next

As the world watches the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina and looks ahead to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, the tradition of honoring Olympic achievements at the White House is expected to continue, creating new iconic moments that capture the nation's spirit.

The takeaway

The White House's relationship with the Olympics reflects how athletic excellence can transcend arenas and medals, becoming symbols of national pride and unity. These visits demonstrate the significance of Olympic achievements in the American consciousness, offering generations of citizens moments of optimism and inspiration.