First Lady Leads U.S. Olympians

First Lady Laura Bush says members of the U.S. Olympic team represent the very best the country has to offer and that they are dreamers who have achieved their goals through hard work.

Speaking to The Early Show co-anchor Tracy Smith in Torino, Mrs. Bush also says she reminded team members that they represent their country and can act as ambassadors.

The first lady traveled to the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino to lead the official U.S. delegation.

"I did speak to all of our team last night, before the opening ceremonies. And I did ask them to remember that they can be ambassadors for our country. They represent the best of our country. They're diverse. It's a very diverse group," the first lady said.

"They are dreamers, as you can tell. Anyone who works as hard as you have to work to be a member of the U.S. Olympic Team is somebody who has big dreams and has worked really hard to achieve them," she said.

"And I wanted them to know how proud Americans are of them. And I hope - and I know they will – be very gracious in victory or defeat and give the world a real view of what Americans are like," she added.

Asked if she had advice for team members, like Bode Miller who made headlines with his comments about drinking during a 60 Minutes interview, Mrs. Bush said, "Well, I don't think I am going to give him any advice. He's a wonderful athlete and I know he'll represent our country very well."

Mrs. Bush traveled to Italy on Wednesday, joined by her daughter Barbara and members of the delegation. On Thursday, Mrs. Bush met with Pope Benedict at the Vatican, and lunched with Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi. She also addressed U.S. troops on Friday at Aviano Air Base.

The first lady says traveling with her daughter is great. "She's a very, very great traveling companion. She actually lived in Italy for a semester when she was a junior in high school. She went to school in Rome. So she particularly loves Italy and it's fun to have her as a traveling companion with me."

Bush's delegation includes former Olympians Dorothy Hamill, Kerri Strug, Herschel Walker and others.

The first lady also commented about recent developments in international politics.

Asked whether she is concerned that Ariel Sharon's health crisis could increase turmoil in the region, Mrs. Bush said, "Well, I am very concerned because he made some really, really tough decisions and very important decisions for the peace process."

Asked about recent violent protests following the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, Mrs. Bush said the violence needs to stop and that dialogue is needed.

"Well, we're speaking out, which I hope every country will do. Every country needs to speak out all over the world, especially in the Middle East; those countries need to speak out. I know it's reprehensible to belittle someone's religion, belittle the revered figure of that religion like the cartoons did," Bush said.

"But on the other hand, such violent protest, burning embassies, and really violent protests, are also reprehensible. And to have a dialogue, a real dialogue, the violence needs to stop," she said.

The first lady will return to the United States this weekend.