Coco Gauff and LeBron James Courtesy of Coco Gauff/Instagram
LeBron James and Coco Gauff made their country proud as flag bearers for Team USA throughout the Friday, July 26, opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 2 athletes were interviewed by NBC’s Maria Taylor while traveling down the Seine river, all three of them drenched in rain after a downfall in Paris.
“We’re seeing a variety of water, first off,” Gauff, 20, joked. “But additionally some amazing people in the group. A whole lot of amazing athletes. We’re all here hyped to represent Team USA.”
Gauff gushed about sharing the flag-bearing distinction with “the GOAT here, Mr. LeBron James.”
“I’m so excited and I can’t wait to do well within the Games,” Gauff continued.
Making it to the Olympics is a feat that countless athletes dream of their entire lives. After years of blood, sweat and tears, participating in probably the most prestigious athletic event on the planet is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Some athletes compete one time within the Olympic Games and hang up their hats, stepping gracefully into retirement. […]
James, 39, called being named flag bearer “an honor” that allowed he and Gauff to “represent our culture, represent where we come from.”
“It gives everybody a lot hope where we come from,” the Lakers star continued. “That’s all we will ask for. We take it with the utmost responsibility.”
The NBA star and the tennis player were chosen by their fellow Team USA athletes to function flag bearers through a vote after Stephen Curry and Chris Eubanks nominated James and Gauff, respectively. James is the third member of USA Basketball to receive the honour after Dawn Staley in 2004 and Sue Bird in 2020; Gauff, meanwhile, is the primary Team USA tennis player to tackle the role.
“It’s an incredible honor to represent america on this global stage, especially in a moment that may bring the entire world together,” James said in an announcement earlier this week.
He continued: “For a child from Akron, this responsibility means the whole lot to not only myself, but to my family, all the children in my hometown, my teammates, fellow Olympians and so many individuals across the country with big aspirations. Sports have the facility to bring us all together, and I’m proud to be an element of this essential moment.”
Similar to Us, many celebrities have been entering into the patriotic spirit as they watch the best-of-the-best athletes compete within the Olympics. Many spectators are in total awe of Simone Biles — generally known as the GOAT in gymnastics — including one in every of her own Team USA athletes, climber Brooke Raboutou. “I’ve at all times been very inspired […]
James is returning for his fourth Olympic games after winning a bronze medal in 2004 and a gold medal in 2008 and 2012.
Gauff, for her part, will make her Olympics debut after withdrawing from the Tokyo games in 2021 when she contracted Covid-19.
Earlier this week, Gauff shared on the Today show that she “was completely shocked” by her selection as a flag bearer, adding that the chance “never would’ve crossed my mind.”
“It made me cry yesterday,” she elaborated. “I didn’t wish to cry in front of my teammates. When Chris told me, I used to be holding it in, but once I called my mom, I began crying because I feel it’s much more special that so many incredible people — even now I get emotional fascinated with it — but so many incredible people just think that I’m worthy of this. It means so much, truly.”
Gauff noted that she had not yet met James, but he had sent her “words of encouragement” via social media previously.
As for her delayed Olympics debut following her 2021 withdrawal, she said, “It’s crazy how a few of the darkest moments in your life can prep you for the most important one.”
She concluded: “And never only am I here, playing my first Olympics, I even have the honour to be the flag bearer, which is something I never thought in my lifetime. I normally have goals, and I wouldn’t say predict, but I imagine I can do certain things. And I definitely would never have believed or predicted that I could do that.”
