Mrs O won’t be the only first lady to lead the US delegation – Laura Bush did the honours at the Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy, in 2006, and Hilary Clinton led the delegation in 1994 at the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.

But the decision has caused concerns over security, as extra room will have to be found for the first lady’s huge security entourage.

Today, Michelle is hosting a mini-Olympic competition at American University to get children in the D.C. area into physical activity, as part of her Let’s Move! Campaign.

She will be joined by Olympians and Paralympians including Kortney Clemons, Dominique Dawes, April Holmes, Lisa Leslie, Lori Ann Lindsey, Dan O’Brien, Becky Sauerbrunn and David Wagner.

Samantha Cameron also joined the sports event – she is on a three-day visit with her husband, Prime Minister David Cameron, to discuss foreign policy issues.

Michelle told the children she was thrilled about leading the US delegates in the ceremony, which will be on July 27.

She said: “It’s not just about who wins the medals, or which country wins the most medals.”

“That’s not what the Olympics are about. Instead, the Olympic Games are about commitment, about determination, and, most importantly, it’s about teamwork.”