A professional snowboarder from Livingston County said it was “the experience of a lifetime” on Wednesday as he visited the White House and met President Biden.
Jake Vedder, whose sixth overall finish at this year’s Winter Olympics made him the top performer from Team USA in the men’s snowboard cross, posted to Instagram pictures of his visit along with other competitors from the Summer Games in Tokyo and Winter Games in Beijing.
Speaking to the approximately 600 athletes, Biden acknowledged the difficulties they had endured because of the pandemic.
“But you did it. You all did it,” said the President. “We’re in awe not just to your incredible athleticism but your endurance and your state of mind, but most of all your character — you have such incredible character.”
Vedder, a 22-year-old Pinckney native, took a selfie with the President, along with other photos from the event, including one with him posing in front of the White House.
“Never would I have imagined that snowboarding would have taken me to The White House and get to meet the President Of The United States,” posted Vedder. “Thank you @teamusa for making this all happen.”
Vedder has been a member of the national team since 2018, and has been snowboarding since the age of 3.
