NBA superstar LeBron James will represent the United States of America as the male flagbearer at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
The Los Angeles Lakers player was selected by his fellow American Olympians for Friday night’s ceremony, despite his naiveté at his first Olympics in 2004.
When the Olympic Games begin, he will join two other basketball players—the first of his gender and the third overall—to hoist the American flag. Sue Bird carried the flag at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, whereas Dawn Stanley did the same at the 2004 Athens Games.
James, who is 39 years old, received the news on Monday in London, just hours before the United States men’s team was supposed to face Germany in their last pre-Olympics exhibition game.
Apt to guide 👑
When LeBron James learned he would be the inaugural 🇺🇸 #USABMNT athlete to carry the @TeamUSA flag, it was a monumental moment. Picture: pic.twitter.com/kEWK45BBQH
— July 22, 2024 — USA Basketball from @usabasketball”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,” a statement from James said. This obligation means the world to me as a young guy from Akron, but it also means the world to my family, my friends, my teammates, my fellow Olympians, and countless other Americans who share my dreams. I am honored to be a part of this momentous occasion, since sports have the ability to unite us all.As a first-time Olympian for the United States men’s team, Stephen Curry nominated his teammate.
“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 stated in the video announcing the nomination.
“He has represented what it means to be excellent both on and off the court in his commitment to service and to uplifting the community in all ways that he knows how has been a lifelong passion,” said Curry. “And the work speaks for itself.”
On Tuesday, the United States is set to unveil its female flagbearer.The International Olympic Committee made the decision in 2020 to encourage gender balance by having each national delegation send two flagbearers, one male and one female. Nearly 600 American athletes, with approximately 53% being female, will compete at the Paris Games.
Thousands of competitors will set sail at twilight on the Seine River in a flotilla headed toward the Eiffel Tower in what promises to be an unprecedented opening ceremony in Olympic history. About 320,000 spectators will line the riverbank to watch the 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) course, while an estimated 1-billion more will watch on televisions across the globe, according to Olympic officials.