Current:Home > MarketsLeBron James named Team USA's male flagbearer for Paris Olympics opening ceremony-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
LeBron James named Team USA's male flagbearer for Paris Olympics opening ceremony
View Date:2024-12-23 20:33:45
NBA star LeBron James was named the male flagbearer for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
The Los Angeles Lakers star, who wasn't exactly sure what the opening ceremony was all about at his first Olympics in 2004, was chosen by his fellow U.S. Olympians for Friday night's event.
He will be the third basketball player — and the first men's player — to carry the U.S. flag at the start of the Olympic Games. Dawn Stanley carried the flag at the Athens Games in 2004 and Sue Bird at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
The 39-year-old James got word of the honor Monday in London, a few hours before the U.S. men's team was scheduled to play its final pre-Olympics exhibition game against World Cup champion Germany.
"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 statement. "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."
Stephen Curry, a first-time Olympian, nominated his teammate 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 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," Curry added. "And the work speaks for itself."
The female U.S. flagbearer is expected to be revealed Tuesday.
In 2020, the International Olympic Committee decided that national delegations would have two flagbearers — one male, one female — a move to promote gender parity. The U.S. is expected to have nearly 600 athletes in the Paris Games, about 53% of whom are female.
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.
- In:
- LeBron James
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Olympics
- Team USA
- France
- Basketball
veryGood! (38217)
Related
- After years of unrest, Commanders have reinvented their culture and shattered expectations
- Indi Gregory, sick baby at center of legal battle in Britain, dies
- For news organizations, the flood of Gaza war video is proving both illuminating and troubling
- Police fatally shoot 17-year-old during traffic stop in North Dakota’s Bismarck
- SNL's Chloe Fineman Says Rude Elon Musk Made Her Burst Into Tears as Show Host
- A military jet crashes in eastern Myanmar. Ethnic resistance groups claim they shot it down
- New ‘joint employer’ rule could make it easier for millions to unionize - if it survives challenges
- VetsAid 2023 lineup, livestream info: How to watch Joe Walsh, Jeff Lynne's ELO, War on Drugs
- Dramatic video shows Phoenix police rescue, pull man from car submerged in pool: Watch
- Florida pauses plan to disband pro-Palestinian student groups
Ranking
- To Protect the Ozone Layer and Slow Global Warming, Fertilizers Must Be Deployed More Efficiently, UN Says
- Las Vegas hotel and casino workers reach tentative deals to avoid strike
- Hamas-run health ministry releases video inside Al-Shifa hospital as Israeli forces encircle northern Gaza
- 'Karma is the guy on the Chiefs': Taylor Swift sings about Travis Kelce on Eras Tour
- Contained, extinguished and mopping up: Here’s what some common wildfire terms mean
- Mega Millions jackpot grows to $223 million. See winning numbers for Nov. 10.
- Man facing charges after car chase, shooting that wounded Pennsylvania officer
- Progressive Minnesota US Rep. Ilhan Omar draws prominent primary challenger
Recommendation
-
Younghoo Koo takes blame for Falcons loss to Saints: 'This game is fully on me'
-
SZA stands out, Taylor Swift poised to make history: See the 2024 Grammy nominations list
-
Father of Liverpool star Luis Díaz released 12 days after being kidnapped in Colombia
-
76ers’ Kelly Oubre Jr. has a broken rib after being struck by vehicle that fled the scene
-
Tony Hinchcliffe refuses to apologize after calling Puerto Rico 'garbage' at Trump rally
-
Bestselling spiritual author Marianne Williamson presses on with against-the-odds presidential run
-
Father of Liverpool star Luis Díaz released 12 days after being kidnapped in Colombia
-
Las Vegas hotel and casino workers reach tentative deals to avoid strike