John Kerry reminds U.S. athletes of the importance of diplomacy

RIO DE JANEIRO — Secretary of State John Kerry dropped by a U.S. Olympic training facility Friday to wish the athletes well and explain to them the importance of sports diplomacy.

From President Nixon sending a pingpong team to China in the 1970s to more recent trips by American baseball players to Cuba, Kerry said their informal connections helped pave the way for better ties among those countries.

"Not only are we expecting all of you breaking some records, but we want you to contribute in the great American tradition of the spirit of competition and the values of our country," he told several dozen athletes training at Brazil's Naval Academy. "Break barriers. Find a different way to resolve the differences between us."

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Kerry also brought out a surprise guest — Mark Spitz, whose seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics was a record until Michael Phelps won eight at the 2008 Beijing Games.

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Spitz told the athletes not to focus on the number of medals anyone wins — one is more than enough.

"You are just as important as Michael, because we are all Olympians forever," he said.

Kelsey Robinson, a 24-year-old outside hitter for the women's volleyball team, said the surprise visit was inspiring as the teams prepared for Friday's opening ceremony.

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"It fires us up and makes us realize the whole country is behind us," said Robinson, a University of Nebraska graduate.

Taylor Ellis-Watson, a Philadelphia native who was an 11-time All-American at the University of Arkansas, struggled to explain how she felt.

"I think I'm just overwhelmed with everything right now," said Ellis-Watson, 23, who is part of the 4x400 relay. "I'm representing the entire country. It's pretty crazy to fathom."