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Austin Reaches Out to Service Members on Olympic, Paralympic Teams

July 27, 2021 | BY Jim Garamone , DOD News

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III took a break from security discussions in Singapore to congratulate U.S. service members competing in the Olympics and Paralympics.

Austin spoke via Zoom to 15 service members on the teams. Some were in Tokyo, others in the United States.

''I wanted to just reach out to you and congratulate all of you for the tremendous work that you've done to get to where you are,'' Austin said. ''It is truly remarkable, it is truly a big deal, and I wanted you to know that we're enormously proud of each and every one of you.''

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III sits at a desk and speaks with service members.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III sits at a desk and speaks with service members.
SecDef Chat
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III talks with service members competing in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics during his trip to the Indo-Pacific region, July 28, 2021. Austin took the opportunity to acknowledge, congratulate and thank the service members competing in the games via video conference. Austin is on a week-long trip to reaffirm defense relationships and conduct bilateral meetings with senior officials in Singapore, Vietnam and The Philippines.
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Photo By: Chad McNeeley, DOD
VIRIN: 210728-D-TT977-0009

Austin told the team members that he appreciated the hard work they put in to not only be outstanding service members, but elite athletes representing the United States on the world stage.

He spoke with Army 1st Lt. Amber English who received the Gold Medal in Women's Skeet competition. She set the Olympic record with her performance. 

Austin asked her if she knew she would do so well. ''I knew when I got here that if I … just allowed myself to do what I know how to do, and stay as calm as possible and focus, that it would be a successful outcome,'' she said. 

He asked if she had any advice for her fellow service members at the games. ''I would just say to enjoy the ride,'' the young lieutenant said.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III sits at a desk and speaks with service members.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III sits at a desk and speaks with service members.
Olympic Athletes
Service members competing in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics talk virtually with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III during his trip to the Indo-Pacific region, July 28, 2021. Austin took the opportunity to acknowledge, congratulate and thank the service members competing in the games via video conference. Austin is on a week-long trip to reaffirm defense relationships and conduct bilateral meetings with senior officials in Singapore, Vietnam and The Philippines.
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Photo By: Chad McNeeley, DOD
VIRIN: 210728-D-TT977-0039T

Austin also spoke with Army Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth ''Ellie'' Marks, a Paralympian swimmer. Marks has competed in a number of competitions including the Invictus Games, where she met Britain’s Prince Harry. ''I had no idea who he was,'' she told the secretary. ''I just thought he was a spectator of the sport. But he has become a champion.''

Marks will begin competition soon and is watching the Olympics with interest. ''I feel incredibly inspired by the performance of my teammates, and they are doing wonderful things with the Olympics,'' she said. ''I hope that I can do them proud at the Paralympics.''

Austin told Marks that she is already making Americans proud. ''All of you are making us proud,'' he told the service members.

Spotlight: Sports in the DOD Spotlight: Sports in the DOD: https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Sports-in-the-DOD/

Related Story: Face of Defense: Swimming Toward Gold
Related Story: Sweet Skeet Feat! Soldier Takes Olympic Gold, Sets Record
Related News: 19 Military Athletes to Represent U.S. at Tokyo Olympics
Austin Defense Secretary Olympics 2020 Olympics Sports paralympics

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