During a campaign event in Ohio today, President Obama recognized the Olympic athletes for their accomplishments in London.

Obama acknowledged that he called the women’s gymnastics team  during his trip to Ohio, to congratulate them for their gold medal winning performance

“These gymnastics folks, I don’t understand how they do what they do,” Obama said. “So I told these ladies, as I was congratulating them, ‘How do you not bust  your head every time you’re on that little balance beam?’”

“I couldn’t walk across that balance beam!” Obama exclaimed.

Obama added that the Olympic games, “reminds us that for all our differences, when it comes down to our country, we’re Americans first.”

Update: White House Press Secretary Jay Carney has released quotes from Potus conversations with the Olympics gymnastic champs.

via the Press pool:

He spoke to Aly Reisman, Jordyn Wieber, McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross and Gabby Douglas, in that order. He congratulated each one, plus:

To Aly: “Michelle and have watched and decided of all the Olympiads you guys amaze us the most.”

To Jordan: “I’m so impressed by how you bounced back and led the team. Tell your parents I’m proud of them too. I don’t think I could watch if I were them.”

To McKayla: “Way to nail that vault. It was unbelievable.”

To Kyla: He remarked how she was “really steady.”

“I was impressed by how cool you were. I don’t know how you do what you do especially the balance beam.”

To Gabby: “You just tore it up. I know how hard you worked to get there.” And: “Keep at it. Stay cool.”