NBA star LeBron James has been announced as the male flag bearer for Team USA at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Los Angeles Lakers star, who didn’t know exactly what the opening ceremony was at his first Olympics in 2004, was chosen by his fellow U.S. Olympians for Friday night’s event.
He is the third basketball player – and the first men’s player – to carry the American flag at the start of the Olympic Games. Dan Stanley carried the flag at the 2004 Athens Games and Sue Bird at the 2021 Tokyo Games.
James, 39, received the honor Monday in London, hours before the U.S. men’s team played its final pre-Olympic exhibition game against World Cup champion Germany.
„It’s an incredible honor to represent America on this global stage, especially at a moment that can bring the entire world together,” James said in a statement. „For a kid from Akron, this responsibility means everything, not just to me, but to my family, to all the kids in my hometown, to my teammates, fellow Olympians, and so many other big aspirational people across the country. Sports have power. We’re all in this together, in this momentous moment. I’m proud to be a part of it.”
First-time Olympian Stephen Curry nominated his teammate on behalf of the US men’s team.
„We understand what an honor it is to be in that position, and I think Bran’s entire career, on and off the court, speaks for itself that he deserves that honor,” Curry said in the nomination video.
„He epitomized what it means to be great on and off the court, with a commitment to service and improving the community in every way he knows what a lifetime looks like,” Curry added. „And the work speaks for itself.”
The identity of the woman carrying the American flag is expected to be revealed on Tuesday.
In 2020, the International Olympic Committee decided that national representatives would have two flag bearers – one male, one female – to promote gender equality. The United States is expected to have nearly 600 athletes at the Paris Games, 53% of whom will be women.
It will be an opening ceremony unlike any other in Olympic history: thousands of athletes will take part in a flotilla sailing across the Seine River at sunset towards the Eiffel Tower. It’s a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) route, with some 320,000 guests set to watch from the riverbank, and more than 1 billion people watching on television around the world, according to Olympic officials.
„Całkowity introwertyk. Nieprzejednany specjalista od sieci. Przyjazny fanatyk bekonu. Student ekstremalnych. Miłośnik piwa. Organizator.”