AP Photo/Petr David Josek
- First lady Jill Biden attended the swimming competition at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday.
- A video shared on Twitter showed members of the USA swim team chanted "Dr. Biden" as she sat in the stands.
- Biden has previously had to defend her title, which she earned from the University of Delaware in 2007.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
The USA swim team chanted first lady Jill Biden's name during a swimming competition on Saturday during the Summer Tokyo Olympics.
A video Biden shared on Twitter showed her clad in a Team USA blazer and American flag t-shirt waving across the pool at the team while the athletes chanted "Dr. Biden, Dr. Biden!"
"Back at you @USASwimming! U-S Swimming," the first lady said on Twitter.
-Jill Biden (@FLOTUS) July 24, 2021
Biden, who began teaching in 1975, received a doctorate in Education from the University of Delaware in 2007, and her title has sparked headlines since her husband's election victory. Before she stepped in as the first lady, an op-ed published by the Wall Street Journal in December 2020 suggested she should drop the "Dr." title from her name because she does not have a doctorate in medicine.
In the article, Joseph Epstein addressed Biden as "kiddo" and said the title "sounds and feels fraudulent, not to say a touch comic."
Biden told "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" the criticism came as a "surprise," but her doctorate degree is "one of the things she's most proud of."
USA Swimming thanked Biden on Twitter for "cheering us on." The organization also posted a photo of Biden in her patriotic outfit for the event, saying, "@FLOTUS in the house!"
-USA Swimming (@USASwimming) July 24, 2021
The Tokyo Aquatics Centre had no fans in the stands, as spectators could not attend the games due to COVID-19 concerns. The team cheered for their own members while waving mini American flags, the Associated Press reported.
The surge in virus cases has caused many Olympians who have tested positive for the virus to pull out the games.
Biden also saw the USA 3-on-3 basketball team win alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, the AP reported.
"Thank you for stopping by to support us @FLOTUS," the USA Basketball 3x3 team said on Twitter.
Biden, who attended the Olympics opening ceremony on Friday, thanked USA athletes in an open letter published by NBC News.
"Your entire nation is cheering you on, and we are grateful for what you've given us: the chance to come together in common awe and appreciation for your accomplishments and the shared joy of rooting for our country on the edge of our seats," Biden said in the letter.