LeBron James, a player for the US men’s basketball team and the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA, will be the male athlete in charge of carrying his country’s flag at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
James, a four-time NBA champion and internationally recognized figure in his sport, will thus lead the United States delegation to the event taking place this Friday, July 26, on the Seine River in the French capital.
In what will be his fourth Games, after previously winning a bronze in Athens 2004 and two golds in Beijing 2008 and London 2012, James has been chosen as the standard-bearer with the votes of the 592 athletes who make up the US team. The name of the female athlete who will accompany him in this task will be revealed on Tuesday.
“Leading the way for Team USA 🇪🇸
“Two-time Olympic gold medalist @KingJames has been selected as our male flag bearer for the #OlympicGamesParis Opening Ceremony,” Team USA posted on social media.
Leading the way for Team USA. 🇺🇸
Two-time Olympic gold medalist @KingJames has been selected as our men’s flag bearer for the #ParisOlympics Opening Ceremony. pic.twitter.com/NN4NLWwwfc
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 22, 2024
“It’s an incredible honor to represent the United States on this global stage, especially at a time that can bring the entire world together. For a kid from Akron, this responsibility means everything – not just to me, but to my family, all the kids in my hometown, my teammates, my fellow Olympians and so many people across the country with high aspirations. Sports have the power to unite us all, and I’m proud to be a part of this important moment,” James said after learning the news, according to a statement released by Team USA.
The same statement included statements from Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC): “Being selected by your teammates to carry the flag is a tremendous honor and a testament to LeBron’s passion for Team USA and his dedication to his sport. We will watch with great pride as the flag bearers guide our athletes who are about to embark on an extraordinary journey together.”
Lebron will be the third name, and the first in the NBA, linked to basketball to receive this honor after the same previously went to players Dawn Staley (2004) and Sue Bird (2020); the latter being the most recent to hold it alongside baseball player Eddy Álvarez.
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