March 17, 2006 (Washington, DC) – U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes from the Torino Winter Games met Wednesday with President Bush at the White House for the traditional round of photos, handshakes and small banter.

Bush’s remarks included a quick salutation for “snowboarding dudes and dudettes” who won an eye-popping seven medals at the Olympics. Alpine skier Resi Stiegler (Jackson Hole, WY) had the president autograph her Olympic jacket from Roots while moguls skier Michelle Roark (Winter Park, CO) brought some of her designer perfume (Phinomenal) for First Lady Laura Bush. Snowboarder Nate Holland (Squaw Valley, CA) was one of the first athletes to greet the president as he arrived.

Two-time Olympian and two-time moguls World Cup champion Jeremy Bloom (Loveland, CO), just out of a mini-camp with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles where he’s trying to become a kick returner and wide receiver, did double duty. He had Bush autograph a No. 5 jersey from QB Donovan McNabb and then served as a writing table as the president put down posters from Torino and Shannon Bahrke (Tahoe City, CA) and autographed them.

“It was really cool,” said alpine skier Libby Ludlow (Bellevue, WA), a first-time Olympian. Nordic combined Olympic rookie Brett Camerota (Park City, UT) added, “This is my first time in Washington, my first time at the White House – it’s been awesome.” But by the end of the day, Ludlow was headed back to classes at Dartmouth College for her spring semester, which runs until June 6.

Kass still riding at Mammoth
Snowboarder Danny Kass (Hamburg, NJ), 2002 and ’06 Olympic halfpipe silver medalist, got the president to sign a bobblehead doll. “I’ve been collecting them for a while and I said, “I’m going to the White House so I want the president to sign his. This was pretty cool,” he explained. He was heading back to Mammoth Mountain in California’s Eastern Sierra Mountains to resume riding; “I rode right up until I came out here. Mammoth’s gonna be open until the Fourth of July,” he said.

Two-time Olympian Lindsey Kildow (Vail, CO) got a special verbal salute from the president for her courage, competing in the Games after a traumatic training crash, which hospitalized her overnight. She also was honored Tuesday night with the DHL Olympic Spirit Award during a sold-out U.S. Olympic Committee dinner at the Washington Hilton.

Kildow enjoyed the opportunity to see some of her U.S. Ski Team teammates as well as athletes from other sports. “It’s fun. It’s good to see everyone and get to interact with the other sports’ athletes,” she said.

During the USOC dinner, she had to say a few words before the gathering of some 1,300 persons. That was harder than any racing start house she’s stepped into, she said. “Oh, that was much harder. My heart was definitely in my throat,” Kildow said with a grin.

“And, yeah, it was nice to get that shout-out from the president. That’s always good.” She flew to Europe later in the day for some conditioning work and meetings with RedBull, one of her major sponsors.

Fourth White House visit for Meier, still an honor
One-legged alpine skier Monte Meier (LW-2; Park City, UT) has been to the White House after each of his four Paralympics. A four-time Paralympic medalist, including 1998 slalom gold – who’s also won World Championships medals, said, “It’s an honor to be congratulated by the president and it’s pretty awesome when you get to meet all the other athletes. It’s totally casual with them, there’s no pressure on anyone, the season’s over and it’s a good time,” he said.

Meier, who works for The Home Depot as part of its longtime Olympic Job Opportunities Program, smiled when asked about wearing a tuxedo for the black-tie dinner the night before. “Well, it’s not my favorite thing to do but you do have to clean yourself up once in a while, so I can deal with it.”

He plans to be married next month and after a honeymoon in Jamaica with new wife Tracy, Meier will start preparing for his 14th season with the U.S. Disabled Ski Team, including the 2006 World Championships. “I’m a lifer,” he said.