The Hill News

President Obama had his stitches removed Thursday that were put in after he took an elbow to the lip during a basketball game last Friday.

There was no noticeable damage on the president's lip, according to a White House pool report. Doctors used a smaller needle that increased the necessary number of stitches but was intended to reduce the size of the scar. Obama received 12 stitches.

Rey Decerega, the director of programs for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute,  inadvertently elbowed the president during a post-Thanksgiving game with family and friends. 

"I learned today the president is both a tough competitor and a good sport. I enjoyed playing basketba! ll with him this morning," Decerega had said in a statement. "I'm sure he'll be back out on the court again soon."

Obama was also asked to comment on the decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar instead of the U.S. The president said, "I think it was the wrong decision," but he expressed confidence the U.S. team would play well.