Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff arrived Wednesday and will be guest of honor at a reception tonight at Casa Brazil. She is one of 100+ heads of state expected for the opening ceremony of the London Games, the biggest-ever contingent for an Olympics.
With Brazil the site of the 2016 Games, Rousseff will have the chance to observe first-hand the impact of the Olympics. These are believed to be the first Games she has attended in any capacity. She became president of Brazil in 2011.
U.S. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is in London, meeting with U.K. government leaders, including Prime Minister David Cameron.
"The athletes have arrived, the torch is about to come into London . . . My experience is that this event will change the hearts of many, many people," Romney said to reporters after meeting with Labor Party leader Ed Miliband, whom he called "Mr. Leader". The unusual appellation prompted some observers to opine that Romney had forgotten Miliband’s name.
Romney, the former president of the Salt Lake City Olympics, has attended every Games since 2000. Wife Ann will remain behind when Romney leaves Saturday. A horse she owns is entered in the equestrian events. Romney says he hopes to see a swimming event before he leaves. A meeting with IOC President Jacques Rogge is not planned.
Romney will hold a fund raiser tonight that requires a $75,000 contribution to attend.
While President Barack Obama will not be coming to London, First Lady Michelle Obama is leading the official U.S. delegation to the Games.
She is expected to visit U.S. athletes in training at the University of East London as well as attend opening ceremony. Other details of her schedule have not been disclosed for security reasons.
Written and reported in London by Ed Hula.
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