Bush Greets American Athletes Before Olympics Opening Ceremony

August 8, 2008 1:30 p.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - President George W. Bush met American athletes in Beijing on Friday hours before he was to lead the U.S. delegation during the Opening Ceremonies of the Games.

"Congratulations for representing the finest nation on the face of the Earth," the President told the U.S. Olympic team at Fencing Hall. "Laura and I and a lot of our family are here to cheer you on. We're just a handful of a lot of folks who care about you a lot."

Bush is the first sitting American president to attend an Olympics in foreign soil. He lavished praise for China earlier in the day during the dedication of the new U.S. embassy compound in Beijing despite his strong criticisms of the communist nation's human rights record on Thursday.

"Tonight the Olympic torch will light the home of an ancient civilization with a grand history. Thousands of years ago, the Chinese people developed a common language and unified a great nation. China became the center for art and literature, commerce and philosophy. China advanced the frontiers of knowledge in medicine, astronomy, navigation, engineering, and many other fields," the President said.

"China has opened its economy and begun to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of its people. America will continue to support China on the path toward a free economy," he added.

Bush had called on China to "develop its full potential" and correct its poor record on human rights during a speech on East Asian policy in Bangkok. The address was meant to mark his legacy in Asian political affairs and hopes for the region.

The President is on his ninth and last official trip to Asia. He stopped in Seoul to meet with President Lee Myung-bak early this week, then flew to Bangkok to for talks with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej. He will be in Beijing until Monday.