LeBron James participated in his first Olympic games back in 2004. Now, the basketball star will be a highlight of the opening ceremony on Friday after his fellow US Olympians picked him to be the male flagbearer representing America at the ceremony.
LeBron James has been a major athletic figure for over two decades now. In fact, 20 years ago James participated in his first Olympic Games representing America. For this year’s Summer Olympic Games in Paris, James was chosen by his fellow US Olympians to serve as the male flagbearer for the Americans at the opening ceremony on Friday.
James is the first male basketball player, and third basketball player overall, to carry the American flag during the opening ceremony of the Olympics; Dawn Staley carried the US flag at the Athens Games in 2004, and Sue Bird carried it for the Tokyo Games in 2021.
“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, according to the Associated Press.
“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.”
A few hours before the US men’s basketball team was scheduled to play their final pre-Olympics exhibition game against Germany, the World Cup champion, James received the news that he was chosen for the honor of holding the flag during the opening ceremony.
First-time Olympian and fellow basketball player Stephen Curry nominated James for the role on behalf of the US men’s team, according to reports. “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.
“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 has been a lifelong passion, and the work speaks for itself,” he stated.
U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland discussed what an honor it is to be selected by your fellow athletes for this representative role.
“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.”
James is a four-time NBA champion and is the league’s all-time leading scorer as he heads into his 22nd NBA season. This will be his fourth Olympic Games
During the 2004 Games, James was a part of the US team which won Bronze. In 2008, him and his team won gold, and in London in 2012 they won the gold again. He walked in the opening ceremony at each of his three previous Olympics.
“This will be an opening ceremony like none other in Olympic history: Thousands of athletes will be part of a flotilla sailing along the River Seine at sunset toward the Eiffel Tower. It’s a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) route, with about 320,000 guests set to watch from the river bank and about 1 billion more, Olympic officials estimate, watching on televisions around the world,” AP wrote.
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
