COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (NV) – Basketball legend LeBron James has been selected as the US Olympic flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced on Monday, July 22, according to CNN Sports.
The opening ceremony will be held along the Seine River, marking the first time it will not take place inside the stadium. The Parade of Nations, which typically involves athletes walking into the Olympic stadium, will take place on the river, with boats carrying all 10,500 athletes through the city centre.
The ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m. ET on July 26 and will be broadcast live on NBC.
“It is an honor to represent the United States on this global stage, especially during a time that can bring the world together. For a kid from Akron, this responsibility means so much not only to myself but to my family, all the kids in my hometown, my teammates, the Olympians and so many people across the country who have great aspirations,” James said in a Team USA statement.
“Sport has the power to bring us all together and I am proud to be a part of this important moment.”
The 39-year-old basketball star was chosen by the U.S. Olympic athletes to receive the honor. Team USA, which includes more than 350 athletes (out of 592 athletes participating in the Olympics), will participate in the opening ceremony.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar is the first men’s basketball player to carry the American flag and the third basketball player to be selected for the honor after Dawn Staley (2004) and Sue Bird (2020).
This is LeBron James’ fourth Olympic appearance, and James is looking to help the United States retain the gold medal in the men’s competition as part of an all-star squad that includes former MVPs Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Joel Embiid.
The US men’s basketball team will play its first game against Serbia this Sunday.
The U.S. delegation will sail on the last boat in the parade of nations, as the United States will host the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. (KV) [kn]