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The VP and second lady were shook hands with a line of greeters, spending a few minutes speaking to each.
Greeters included:
Tilman J. Fertitta, U.S. Ambassador to Italy
Lauren Fertitta, wife
Douglass Benning, Consul General
Bruno Pasquino, MFA chief of protocol
Salvatore Pasquariello, Prefect of Varese
Vance did not speak to press. He got into his SUV at 10:32 a.m. and the motorcade started rolling at 10:35 a.m.
We are heading to a site where the VP will meet with some of the U.S. Olympic athletes.
Michelle Price
The Associated Press
Thu. Feb 5, 10:41 AM  
https://x.com/WHPressPool/status/2019349001485561977

White House Press Pool Reports @WHPressPool - VP pool report #3
Pool arrived at the site at 10:46 a.m. The Team USA Welcome Experience is at the airport Sheraton. Pool did not see VP enter.
There were rooms inside for Nike, Skims, Ralph Lauren and other sponsors. It is where U.S. athletes pick up their credential, get pins and then stop in the Ralph Lauren room to get fitted for their opening ceremony uniforms, along with picking up other gear.
The VP came out at 11:10 to check out the welcoming space. The Vance children were given credentials on lanyards. Vance helped Vivek put his on.
The Vances went into Ralph Lauren to learn about how the athletes get fitted for uniforms. The kids were given RL teddy bear Olympics pins.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette arrived and spoke with the Fertittas.
The Vances then came out at 11:29 a.m. to greet the freestyle skiing aerials and halfpipe team members (listed below).
Vance spoke for a few minutes, telling the team to enjoy the moment and that it was born out of a lot of sacrifice.
Vance quotes to the athletes:
He said his wife is not a sports fan but “every two years, she makes us obsessively watch the Olympics, and that’s been true since the moment I started dating her.”
“This is one of the few things that unites the entire country.”
“Everybody is rooting for you guys. Everybody is cheering for you.”
“I hope you win as many medals as possible.”
“The whole country, Democrat, Republican, independent, we're all rooting for you, and we're cheering for you.”
He also joked that he likes pasta and tiramisu.
Vance put credentials on the athletes and asked them where they are from. He mentioned that he started skiing a few years ago and asked them what they were most excited about.
Then they all posed for a few photos.
Members of the Freestyle Skiing Aerials Team (inclusive of hometown)
Chris Lillis - Rochester, NY
Kyra Dossa - Cleveland, OH
Quinn Dehlinger - Cincinnati, OH
Tasia Tanner - Park City, UT
Winter Vinecki - Gaylord, MI
Connor Curran - Cincinnati, OH
Derek Krueger - Chagrin Falls, OH
Kaila Kuhn - Boyne City, Michigan
Members of the Freestyle Halfpipe Team (inclusive of hometown)
Abby Winterberger - Truckee, CA
Birk Irving - Winter Park, CO
Hunter Hess - Bend, OR
Kate Gray - Mammoth Lakes, CA
Nicholas Goepper - Lawrencburg, IN
Riley Jacobs - Oak Creek, CO
Svea Irving - Winter Park CO
Pool then loaded back in vans. The VP and second family stayed inside to greet the athletes.
The fog has cleared up and it is now sunny. Pool did not see VP rejoin motorcade. Motorcade started rolling at 11:57 a.m.
VP will be going to RON for a while and press will be dropped at our hotel. As of now, the hockey prelim and IOC dinner are still closed to pool. We are not expecting that to change.
Michelle Price
The Associated Press
Thu. Feb 5, 5:58 AM  
https://x.com/WHPressPool/status/2019366719941120249
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