NBA superstar LeBron James has been chosen as the male flagbearer for Team USA during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Los Angeles Lakers player, initially uncertain about the significance of the opening ceremony during his first Olympics in 2004, received this honor from his fellow U.S. Olympians.
Historic Role for Basketball Players
James will become the third basketball player to carry the U.S. flag at the Olympics, following Dawn Stanley at the 2004 Athens Games and Sue Bird at the Tokyo Games in 2021. The 39-year-old learned about his prestigious role while in London, just hours before the U.S. men’s team was set to face World Cup champion Germany in their final pre-Olympics exhibition match.
Fit to lead 👑
AdvertisementThe moment LeBron James found out he will be the first 🇺🇸 #USABMNT athlete to serve as a @TeamUSA Flag Bearer. pic.twitter.com/kEWK45BBQH
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 22, 2024
“It’s an incredible honor to represent the United States on this global stage, especially in a moment that can bring the whole world together,” James stated. “For a kid from Akron, this responsibility means everything to not only myself, but to my family, all the kids in my hometown, my teammates, fellow Olympians, and so many people across the country with big aspirations. Sports have the power to unite us all, and I’m proud to be part of this important moment.”
Stephen Curry, a first-time Olympian, nominated James on behalf of the U.S. men’s team. “We understand how much of an honor it is to be in that position, and I think Bron’s entire career, on and off the court, speaks for itself as him being worthy of that honor,” Curry said in the nomination video. He praised James for exemplifying excellence both on and off the court and for his commitment to community service.
This is forever 👑
🇺🇸 @KingJames will lead the 592-member @TeamUSA delegation at the #ParisOlympics Opening Ceremony! pic.twitter.com/dCONXrgyec
Advertisement— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 22, 2024
Female Flagbearer Announcement
The female flagbearer for Team USA is expected to be announced soon. In a move to promote gender equality, the International Olympic Committee decided in 2020 that national delegations would have two flagbearers—one male and one female. Team USA is anticipated to send nearly 600 athletes to the Paris Games, with approximately 53% being female.
This year’s opening ceremony promises to be unprecedented in Olympic history, featuring thousands of athletes participating in a flotilla sailing along the River Seine toward the Eiffel Tower at sunset. The route spans 6 kilometers (3.7 miles), with around 320,000 spectators expected to line the riverbank and an estimated 1 billion viewers watching from around the world.
