Britain Basketball US South Sudan

LeBron James, who has won two Olympic gold medals and one bronze as a member of the U.S. men’s basketball team, was named the male flagbearer for the United States at the Paris Olympics. Kin Cheung/Associated Press

LeBron James wasn’t totally sure what the opening ceremony was all about when he was picked for his first Olympics in 2004.

This time he’ll be one of the stars of the show.

James was picked Monday by his fellow U.S. Olympians to serve as the male flagbearer for the Americans in Friday night’s opening ceremony for the Paris Games. He becomes the third basketball player — and the first men’s player — to carry the flag at the start of an Olympics, joining Dawn Staley for the Athens Games in 2004 and Sue Bird 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. “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 has the power to bring us all together, and I’m proud to be a part of this important moment.”

The 39-year-old James got word of the honor in London, a few hours before the U.S. men’s team played its final pre-Olympics exhibition game against World Cup champion Germany.

Stephen Curry, a fellow U.S. star and first-time Olympian, nominated James on behalf of the U.S. men’s team for the flagbearer role.

Advertisement

“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. And the work speaks for itself.”

The female U.S. flagbearer is expected to be revealed Tuesday. The International Olympic Committee decided in 2020 that national delegations would have two flagbearers — one male, one female — at opening ceremonies in a move to promote gender parity. The U.S. is expected to have nearly 600 athletes in the Paris Games, about 53% of them female.

“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,” said Sarah Hirshland, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee CEO.

James, a global icon, four-time NBA champion and the league’s all-time leading scorer heading into his record-tying 22nd NBA season, is set to play in the Olympics for the fourth time. He was part of U.S. teams that won bronze in 2004, gold at Beijing in 2008 and gold again in London in 2012. He walked in the opening ceremony at each of his three previous Olympics.

This time he’ll float.

Advertisement

This will be an opening ceremony like none other: Thousands of athletes will be part of a flotilla sailing along the River Seine at sunset toward the Eiffel Tower. It’s a 3.7-mile route, with about 320,000 guests set to watch from the banks and about 1 billion more, Olympic officials estimate, on televisions around the world.

Not all Olympic athletes take part in the opening ceremony; many skip it for logistical reasons, such as having to compete the following day. James and the four-time defending gold medalist U.S. men don’t open Olympic play until Sunday, when they face Serbia at Lille, France.

James and the U.S. Olympians will wait longer than almost any other nation for their trip on the Seine. By IOC custom, Greece — which will have NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo as one of its two flagbearers — will lead the procession, followed by the Refugee Olympic Team and then about 200 more national delegations. The U.S. is scheduled to go next-to-last in the procession because Los Angeles will host the next Summer Games in 2028.

France, as the host, will be the final nation in the procession. Its men’s basketball team, featuring NBA rookie of the year Victor Wembanyama, opens Olympic play Saturday and isn’t expected to be present for the opening ceremony.

Related Headlines

Join the Conversation

Please sign into your Press Herald account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.