Saratoga Olympic Rowers Visit White House

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Kristi Wagner and Lauren O’Connor, both members of the Saratoga Rowing Association who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, visited the White House on Monday along with the rest of the Olympic and Paralympic teams.

President Joe Biden spoke to the athletes on the White House South Lawn.

“Yes, you’ve sacrificed,” Biden said, “but you have to look at who you lift up. Your families wept with joy, filled with pride. Your hometowns honor you. And to your fellow Americans, most of whom have never known…you’ve become their heroes.”

Wagner and O’Connor both finished ninth overall in their respective events in Paris. Wagner and her partner Sophia Vitas competed in double sculls, while O’Connor was part of the quadruple sculls team.

Wagner and Vitas were fifth in double sculls at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. O’Connor made her Olympics debut in Paris.