(ATR) US President Barack Obama will host the U.S. Olympic team for the last time at the White House .
Members of Team USA from the Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro will be greeted by the President and Mrs. Obama on the South Lawn of the White House midday September 29.
The president has hosted the U.S. teams from four previous games, a tradition from past administrations.
Close to 700 Olympians and Paralympians are registered for the event says a USOC official.
The night before, Team USA will be saluted in a gala awards ceremony in Washington at Georgetown University. The event will be shown Oct. 4 on NBC TV.
The gala will inaugurate the Jesse Owens Olympic Spirit Award for the USOC. First recipient will be Muhammed Ali, with his widow Lonnie accepting the honor, presented by Marlene Dortch, granddaughter of Owens.
The award is to be presented each year to recognize people who have "served as a powerful force for good in society, inspiring others by contributing to a better world, uniting people or leading a cause" says the USOC statement.
The events next week in Washington follow the annual US Olympic Assembly that happens Sep. 22-23 in Colorado Springs, headquarters of the USOC.
Several hundred U.S. sports leaders are expected for the meeting which includes a town hall style meeting with athletes and leaders of national governing bodies and members of the USOC board of directors.
USOC chairman and IOC member Larry Probst will deliver a state of the USOC report and preside over the quarterly meeting of the board.
The assembly closes Friday night with awards presentations. Retired IOC member and archery federation leader James Easton will receive the Olympic Torch Award. Jim Eckford, who on short notice helped a blind runner complete a marathon, is nominated for the Jack Kelly Fair Play Award presented by BP. Archery coach Glen Bennett and BlazeSports America will receive the Rings of Gold awards.
NBC sports reporter Lewis Johnson will host the awards dinner.
Written by Ed Hula.
Homepage photo: Getty Images
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