President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed the 2012 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams at the White House on Sept. 14.

"I want you to know how inspired we are by all of you -- your passion, your dedication, your courage," Michelle said. "This summer, people across the country -- including some of the young people with us today -- watched you compete and thought to themselves, you know what, if they can set a goal and work hard to reach it, maybe I can too, and maybe I can go a little farther and do a little better than people think I can. They saw all of you out there giving 100 percent, overcoming all kinds of obstacles, representing our country with such determination and pride."

At the Olympics, the U.S. won 104 medals, 46 of them gold, their highest total at an Olympics not held in the United States.

Together, the Olympians and Paralympians brought home more than 200 medals from London.

Obama lauded the Olympians and Paralympians, for finding the strength to keep pushing on good days and bad days.

"Thank you for being such great role models, especially for our young people," Obama said. "We could not be prouder of you. You gave us a summer that we will never forget. It is a great honor to welcome you home."

Obama said he was "fan-in-chief" and that one of his favorite stories of the London Olympics was about Manteo Mitchell who broke his shin bone halfway through his lap on the 4X400 meter relay, but finished in 46 seconds, and helped the U.S. qualify for the final.

The president told the Olympians and Paralympians that they could not have been better ambassadors and better representatives for the United States.

The athletes presented the Obamas with the U.S. flag carried during the events' opening ceremonies.