Basketball superstar Lebron James has been named as Team USA’s flag bearer at the opening ceremonies of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Countries are allowed one male and one female flag bearer at the opening ceremonies, and the American woman that will join him will be announced Tuesday.
“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 said in a press release. “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 bring us all together, and I’m proud to be a part of this important moment.”
James has two Olympic gold medals from the 2008 and 2012 Games and a bronze with the 2004 team in Athens. In 2012, he joined Michael Jordan as the only players to win an NBA MVP award, NBA title, NBA Finals MVP, and Olympic gold medal in the same year.
James skipped the 2016 and 2021 Olympic tournaments, both won by the United States, but will return for the 2024 Games, where early returns from his teammates are that he is still the team’s undisputed leader.
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He leads an American team that has the most superstars and is the most well-rounded in the tournament thanks in part by commitments from big men Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid. Embiid was born in Cameroon, but has dual Cameroonian-American citizenship.
But the most superstars doesn’t always guarantee dominance – the US needed a James game winner with 8 seconds left to beat South Sudan 101-100 last week in an Olympic tune-up game in London last week.
The US, though, are still the favorites to win their 5th-straight gold medal and 16th in 19 tournaments.
Only two swimmers have ever carried the American flag at the opening ceremonies: Michael Phelps in his last Olympics in 2016 and Gary Hall in 1976.
Prob worth mentioning in article that this is voted on by the athletes right
There’s no standard, but it’s usually chosen by fellow athletes or by team captains.
Siobhan is the female flag bearer for Hong Kong at the opening ceremony.
LeFlag
The female flagbearer has to be Ledecky or Biles right? You could also maybe pick taurasi on her 6th Olympics but picking two basketball players would be surprising. Or is there someone I’m not thinking of from track or something like archery?
Ledecky is unlikely given the schedule for swimming. Swimmers unless they have a lighter schedule and towards the end of the swimming days, don’t usually do the opening ceremony and Ledecky swims the 400 free the morning after the ceremonies. Simone has a day between the opening ceremonies and qualifications so maybe for her? I just don’t know what they typically do.
Also think not Biles for opening either given her last Olympic performance wasn’t great. Guessing she might want to make sure she is full steam for her events also. Unless they wait (for either) and just bring them in, walk in with the flag and then whisk them back out again. Kind of the only way you could do either and not have it affect performance.
LeBron James grew up in a poor community in a deteriorating town with expectations put on him at age 13 to be the next Michael Jordan. He has never been in any personal trouble, he is an involved father and on the court he is on the short list of all-time greats. He’s the definition of a sports hero. He should make every American proud to be an American, and if he doesn’t that says a lot more about you than him.
I wish they would pick an athlete from an exclusively Olympic sport. There’s other sports that have equally deserving athletes who have won multiple olympic medals that are able to walk in the opening ceremonies.
Pretty sure that all the sports at the Olympics also exist outside of the Olympics. Are you saying that you wished they would pick an athlete from a less popular sport? Maybe the captain of the break dancing team or a grizzled veteran from handball?
Oh Lebron, where do l even begin, my glorious king. Ever since the day you were drafted to the Cleveland Cavs you have been the light of my life. Your pure aura has radiated from you and has been felt all over the world. Your smile warms my heart. The way you drive to the rim effortlessly and strike fear into your enemies eyes. Every day I wake up and wish for you to have a great day. Your haters will say Jorgambler is better than you but last time I checked, you won an in season tournament in Vegas. How much did Jorbum superteam merchant lose in Vegas? My goat can do no wrong. Lebron, I dread the day… Read more »
Dry it off when you’re done