Jill Biden Stops in Alaska on Way to Tokyo Olympics
Voice of America
22 Jul 2021, 09:05 GMT+10
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, ALASKA - Jill Biden embarked Wednesday on her first solo international trip as first lady, leading a U.S. delegation to the Olympic Games in Tokyo, where the coronavirus is surging and COVID-19 infections have climbed to a six-month high.
She stopped in Alaska on the way to Japan and is expected to stop in Hawaii before she returns to Washington.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that President Joe Biden and the first lady both felt it was important that the delegation be led "at the highest level," and that Jill Biden looked forward to the long journey to help support U.S. athletes, who will be competing in some of the starkest conditions for an Olympic Games.