WASHINGTON, March 20, 2009 (AFP) US President Barack Obama has apologized for the first gaffe of his presidency, after he joked about his bowling prowess comparing it to the Special Olympics for people with intellectual disabilities.
In his first appearance on a US late night talk show since his November election, Obama told Jay Leno he had been practicing at the White House bowling alley after he flopped at the sport during the presidential campaign last year.
"I bowled a 129," he said to laughter from the "Tonight Show" audience in Los Angeles.
"That's very good, Mr. President," Leno deadpanned.
It's "like the Special Olympics or something," the president replied.
Realizing the joke had fallen flat, the White House moved quickly to downplay it and Obama late Thursday telephoned Tim Shriver, the chairman of the Special Olympics, from Air Force One on the flight back to Washington.
"He expressed his disappointment and he apologized, I think, in a way that was very moving," Shriver told ABC on Friday.
"He expressed that he did not intend to humiliate this population; certainly he didn't want to embarrass or give anybody any more reason for pain or kind of suffering.
"He said he was a fan of the movement and I think, importantly, said he was ready to have some of our athletes over to the White House to bowl or play basketball, or help him improve his score," Shriver added.
White House spokesman Bill Burton said late Thursday: "The president made an offhand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics."
Obama "thinks that the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world."
Obama was in California touting his plan to create jobs, end the economic crisis and spark sweeping reforms of education, healthcare and energy.
What are your thoughts?
) 
