More history was made on Wednesday after LeBron James became the first men’s basketball player selected as the U.S. flag bearer for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
2023 U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff was named the women’s flag bearer, becoming the first tennis player to earn that honor for the U.S. team.
For Gauff, her selection as flag bearer is especially meaningful because her first opportunity to compete in the Olympics at the 2021 Tokyo Games was marred when she was forced to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19. At 20 years old, she is the youngest U.S. flag bearer in history.
“I never dreamed I’d have the honor of representing Team USA and carrying the American flag at the Opening Ceremony,” Gauff said in a statement. “I couldn’t be more proud to lead my teammates alongside LeBron in showcasing our commitment and passion on the biggest stage of all. This is a moment that will unite athletes and fans around the world.”
Gauff, the world’s No. 2-ranked singles player, won the U.S. Open last September, becoming the youngest American to win a Grand Slam singles title since the legendary Serena Williams did so at age 17 in 1999. Last month, she further extended her record by winning the French Open women’s doubles title with Czech Katerina Siniakova.
The Olympic tennis events will be held at Roland Garros, the same venue as the French Open, so Gauff will be familiar with the stadium conditions.
The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics will be held on Friday at 1:30 pm ET. Instead of the traditional walk through the stadium, this time the athletes will be paraded in boats down the Seine River.
