Michelle Obama kicks off 100-day countdown to Rio Olympics with U.S. Olympians

NEW YORK, April 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama on Wednesday started the 100-day countdown to the opening of 2016 Rio Olympic Games at Times Square, Midtown Manhattan, together with more than 70 Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

As part of the "Road to Rio" tour hosted by the United States Olympic Committee, the event attracted thousands of locals and tourists to meet Olympic athletes at close range, and to participate in interactive sport games including basketball and fencing.

"I'm here today not just as the First Lady, but as a real lifelong die-hard Olympics fan," said the first lady.

As a long-time advocate for healthy lifestyles of Americans, Michelle Obama also stressed the significant impact that the Olympic Games may bring to the nation's young people.

"The Olympics are about inspiring young people here at home, to get them active and to live up to the example that our Olympic and Paralympic athletes have always set with their dedication, their determination, their unyielding commitment to excellence," said Michelle Obama.

She also participated in fencing practices with local children while getting instructions from Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad. She also passed basketball alongside three-time Olympian Tamika Catchings and other members of the U.S. women's basketball team.

"Our goal is the gold, every time," Catchings said. The 36-year-old Indiana Fever forward will be the oldest U.S. player ever in Olympic women's basketball when she goes to her fourth Olympic games in Rio.

"100 days seem quite a long time, but we have to get back to the ground of training and stay focused," said Catchings.

It was also announced that the song "Live Forever" by Grammy Awards winning trio the Band Perry will be the official song of Team USA. The band will be performing the song in Times Square later Wednesday.

The lively environment drew many onlookers.

"I am here to see David Boudia, because I like him and I think he is a very good diver," said eight-year-old Brandon from Manhattan. Boudia was one of several gold medalists from the 2012 London Olympics that were present at Wednesday's event.

"I think I will see new world records and fabulous games," said Krisgen Jansson, a tourist from Sweden, expressing her expectations for the Rio games.