Sophie Gregoire Trudeau introduces Jill Biden to curling during first lady's visit

The first lady of the United States got a sweeping introduction to Canadian sports culture in Ottawa Friday when Sophie Gregoire Trudeau took Jill Biden to the curling rink during her first trip to Ottawa.

President Joe Biden and his wife arrived in the capital Thursday evening for their first official visit to Canada since the president took office two years ago.

While the president spent most of the day close to Parliament Hill in meetings with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, their wives visited the nearby 135 year-old Rideau Curling Club.

The 20 or so curlers on the ice seemed oblivious at first as the two women greeted each other in the lounge with a warm embrace before stepping out to the chilly rink.

The shouts of the tense curling matches quieted slightly as Gregoire Trudeau greeted the players.

"You know, I love sports," Gregoire Trudeau told the players from the side of the ice.

"I love sports," Biden agreed, which earned her a chuckle from the players.

WATCH | Biden takes dig at Leafs, says wife Jill is a Flyers fan

An official itinerary promised that the two would get an introduction to the game, but they opted to take it in from the sidelines rather than pick up a rock or a broom themselves.

Back in the lounge, the first lady and Gregoire Trudeau joined a group of teens to talk about how sports contributes to their mental health and general sense of wellness.

They shook each high-schooler's hand before they sat down, and the first lady — a former classroom teacher — quipped that they were missing school.

"As a mental-heath advocate and as a teacher, we know that we can learn anything in school, which is extraordinary, but taking care of ourselves and knowing more about our mental and physical limits is