President Bush greeted Team USA at the Rose Garden. The 2008 Summer Olympics start in 20 days. Tonight Bush will host past and current Olympic Athletes.

Today's ceremony was for Olympic and Para-Olympic contestants. Bush joked often with the crowd. At one point he said that a 58 year old competing in this Olympics gave him hope that people would need his athletic services in Beijing.

Bush used a series of personal stories to convey the image of U.S. athletes that have had to overcome great adversity in order to take their spot in Beijing.

"You will convey our nation's most cherished values," Bush said. "As ambassadors of liberty, you will represent America's love for freedom and our regard for human rights and human dignity … to other athletes and to the people of China."

In attendence were former medalists Jackie Joyner-Kersee and gymnastics gold medalist Shannon Miller.

"I am fired up to go [to the Olympics]," said Bush.