Las Vegas — Vice President Kamala Harris was a surprise guest at the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team’s practice Tuesday, and her message was clear.
“Bring back the gold,” Harris said.
Harris, who flew to Las Vegas on Tuesday to begin her campaign, spoke briefly to the team after the fourth and final training camp practice session. She has long been a Golden State Warriors fan. Team USA is coached by Warriors Steve Kerr and includes Warriors guard Steph Curry.
“It’s a nice reminder that we’re playing for our country,” said Kerr, who has met Harris several times because of his Warriors fandom. “She told the guys how much she respects them, how they embody excellence, and that we’re going over there to win a gold medal for our country.”
Harris shook hands with players, chatted briefly with LeBron James and several other players, and took a group photo with his teammates.
“Truly, you all represent the best of the best,” Harris told them. “And being on Team USA is about representing our country. You are ambassadors for who we are as a nation, as you are every day on and off the court. You represent leaders in every area of life. And for you to go to Paris and win a gold medal is just another example of your excellence, your teamwork, your compassion and your dedication.”
U.S. head coach Eric Spoelstra said he had no idea the vice president was coming to practice.
“It was a very special moment for the whole group,” Spoelstra said. “She said we’re going to represent our country and everyone’s going to be watching and cheering for us, and that’s a big responsibility. But she knows that we’re all trying to represent everyone here and doing it with class.”
Harris plans to meet with voters in Las Vegas and Dallas this week, and she is drawing special attention from Democrats as they consider her a possible successor to President Joe Biden, who has resisted calls to step down.
The U.S. men’s team will play its first of five pre-Olympic exhibition games against Canada in Las Vegas on Wednesday. While that game won’t have any Olympic implications (the first U.S. game in France is against Serbia on July 28), Harris encouraged the team to start winning now.
“Our country is rooting for you and we are very proud of you,” Harris said. “Beat Canada and bring back the gold medal.”
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AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
