(CNN) - First lady Michelle Obama was in London this weekend to give the U.S. Olympic team a boost, and one of the athletes returned the favor.
When wrestler Elena Pirozhkova met Obama on Friday, she asked, "Can I pick you up?"
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The first lady responded "um, yes," according to an account of the moment posted to the USA Wrestling website.
A fellow U.S. wrestler - Clarissa Chun - captured the moment and tweeted a picture.
The 5-foot-5 Pirozhkova competes in the 63 kilogram (approximately 138 lbs) category, and told USA Today after the hug that she wanted to greet the first lady differently.
"Even before she made the rounds I thought I can't just hug her like everybody else," she said. "I think she was nervous. I went slow. I just picked her up. I wanted to ask her permission. There was security all around. And she gave it. I will only meet her once. I wanted to do something different."
Obama led the presidential delegation to the opening ceremony of the London Games, and she stayed in the city for meetings, events related to her Let's Move! health initiative, and to attend Olympic contests.
From CNN Politics
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Classic Lady!!!! I love Michelle as First Lady and I am sure she is probably a nice person to hang out with.
I love our 1st lady....Now that we've gotten that covered, let the Rush a Druggy Limberger, and Tea-a-tard hatred begin in 5,4,3,2,1....
I'm so glad to have relatable, down to earth, smart people in the White House.
The first lady is wonderful, she is so down to earth. The Obamas desrve a second term for a thousand reasons.
That is so cool.What a great first lady Mrs. Obama is.That's all I got.
will do anything to divert attention for economy
This is Olympic history! Only a good Democrat can have such fun and help create great memories. The First Lady is just too hip for words.
Too cool!!
classy lady If the queen can jump out of a plane I guess the first lady can handle a pick up. Watch the repos go balistic over this one. Forward 2012
Mmm. Somethin' kinda yummy about that. Bwahaha!!
Great story, I don't think ANYONE would want to pick up any member of the Romney tribe, YUK.
Go Team U.S.A., we're all boosting for you back home.
Yes, absolutely. U cudnt do that to the Queen. We are not a monarchy. As long as it wasnt a male wrestler, Im sure President O'Bama (Irish heritage spelling) approved it. The people currently in the White House are real people like the majority of the electorate. Do U really want Rmoney (spelling deliberate= our money-15% taxes v. Buffet's secretary 35%)?
Who's more in touch???? The answer is the president and first lady!!!! Great moment and this country deserves real people in the white house.
You've got to hand it to both women...no shortage of spunk here!
How wonderful for this athlete to have such a priceless memory! And how amazing that we have such a playful and down-to-earth First Lady!
USA, USA, USA!
Gotta love Michelle.
President Obama and Michelle are so down to earth – GO FLOTUS!!!
Obama 2012 – The Only Trusted Way Forward!!
uh... alrighty.
Grins and giggles today, chiropractic appointment in the morning.
Can you imagine if anyone dared to approach, more less touch and picked up the "you people" non working wife?
She would consider it a slap in the face from someone beneath her.
This whole family wouldn't know a joke or a real harmless prank if it hit one their car going up an elevator!
She is such a good sport.
Trust the Russians to go for a bear hug!
Good for Michelle Obama.
I can just see Anne Romney doing this in the spirit of the olympics. She would proably need a lift to get on her horse.