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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

Being cool and looking cool -- that's what United States President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have in common, apart from the fact that both are facing strong criticism in their respective countries.

Putin's adventures have been well documented.

Obama, on the other hand, maintains the gravitas his post demands. However, when it comes to having fun, the most powerful man in the world knows how to let his hair down.

Let's take a look at some of Obama's coolest moments.

We begin with an image of the president jumping from a ledge at the Nabataean Amphitheatre in Jordan. Accompanying him on his walking tour of the ancient city of Petra is Dr Suleiman A D Al Farajat, a professor of tourism at the University of Jordan.

To be clear: Calling a president 'cool' does not mean an endorsement of his policies, nor is it a measure of his competence.

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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

Obama throws a football with Chief of Staff Denis McDonough at the White House Colonnade.

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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

Ankles crossed, leaning casually on his umbrella, Obama waits for the rain to pass before walking towards the West Wing of the White House.

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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

Obama gets playful with a magnifying glass during a visit to a pre-kindergarten classroom at the College Heights Early Childhood Learning Centre in Decatur, Georgia.

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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

Obama greets Jack Hoffman of Atkinson, Nebraska, in the Oval Office.

Hoffman, who is battling pediatric brain cancer, ran for a 69-yard touchdown during a Nebraska Cornhuskers spring football game.

The delighted seven-year-old is holding a football that the president signed for him.

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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

First Lady Michelle Obama and the president dance during the inaugural ball at the Walter E Washington Convention Centre in Washington.

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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

Obama shoots clay targets at the range at Camp David.

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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

After meeting with the US Olympics gymnastics team, the president suggested to gymnast McKayla Maroney that they recreate her 'not impressed' photograph.

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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

Obama kisses a baby on the tarmac at Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado.

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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

'How cool is this,' grinned Obama after he threw a football at Soldier Field following a NATO working dinner in Chicago.

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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

Obama samples fudge offered by Squirrel's Den Fudge Shop owner LaDonna Secrist at Mansfield, Ohio.

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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

As First Lady Michelle Obama began her televised speech at the Democratic National Convention, three of her biggest fans -- husband Obama and daughters Malia (left) and Sasha -- cheered from the Treaty Room at the White House.

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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

Obama kisses his wife for the 'Kiss Cam' at the US Men's Olympic basketball team's game against Brazil at the Verizon Centre in Washington.

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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

Obama steals a few moments to play with Bo, the First Dog, at the Oval Office.

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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

How many of us can boast of a president holding a cake as we blow out the candles?

Bloomberg White House correspondent Julianna Goldman can; Obama celebrated her birthday aboard Air Force One during the flight from Germany.


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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

Want the president of the United States to do push-ups? Well, just shoot a basket!

In this image, President Obama does push-ups on the White House Basketball Court after a member of the Harlem Globetrotters made a shot.

The President participated in Shoot for Strength, a game where children did push-ups for every basketball shot made by the pros.

The game was part of the White House Easter Egg Roll festivities.

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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

The  president jumped into the ocean and his bodyguards did not react!

Obama, on his annual Christmas vacation in his native state of Hawaii, went swimming at Pyramid Rock Beach in Kaneohe Bay.

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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

Even as preparations were on a reception at the Hyatt in Philadelphia, Obama lounged on the carpeted steps for a quick chat with former senior advisor Valerie Jarrett. 

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Barack Obama, the COOLEST president

Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

Obama enjoys a green tea ice cream bar after a visit to the Great Buddha of Kamakura in Japan. The president, who had visited Kamakura as a child, remembered sitting at the exact same place to have an ice cream bar.

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Last updated on: July 05, 2013 13:33 IST

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