Head of state gathering on 3x3’s Olympic opening day

TOKYO (Japan) - It was one of the highlights of Day 1 for 3x3 at the Olympics on July 24, 2021: French President Emmanuel Macron and the First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden in the bleachers of the 3x3 Olympic venue.

 17-10 Win! So proud of you @usab3x3! #Olympics https://t.co/81S8uFfBpr

Not only were they celebrating every basket of the France-USA women’s game, they also addressed the players immediately after the games from the bleachers for long minutes, in what almost seemed like a flash interview.

President Macron addressed the media after the games and spoke very highly of the new Olympic discipline: “It was the first time I saw 3x3 with my own eyes and I must say it’s amazing. […] It is quite impressive, physically speaking. It’s 10 minutes, nonstop with a form of self-management, that is stunning.”

Polish President Andrzej Duda liked 3x3 so much that he came in the morning to watch Poland-Latvia… and came back at 7pm to watch the team again beat Japan in a dramatic overtime.

The games were also attended by Captains Regent of San Marino Marco Nicolini and Gian Carlo Venturini.

The Head of State visits will continue on Day 2 with Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene in attendance as his women’s 3x3 national team became the first-ever Mongolian team to compete at the Olympics (the country had only participated in individual sports to this day).