Paris 2024 Olympics: LeBron James 'super humbled' to being named as Team USA’s men's flagbearer at Opening Ceremony
Two-time Olympic gold medallist LeBron James told Team USA that he was “super humbled” to have been named as their men’s flagbearer for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony.
It was four-time NBA champion and USA basketball teammate Steph Curry who delivered the news to James before their 92-88 win over Germany on July 22.
“You get to wave the flag in Paris my man,” Curry told James as their fellow USA teammates shared support with a round of applause.
“It’s special in the fact that to get an opportunity to represent your country in another fashion,” the NBA's all-time leading scorer told Team USA.
“I understand how prestigious this moment is and for someone to be the flag bearer, and wave the flag not only for us as the men’s national team but for all the Olympian’s, I hold that with the most honour.”
On July 26, LeBron James will become Team USA’s first ever men’s basketball player to walk an Olympic Opening Ceremony as flagbearer.
It’s definitely something that my family and my community and my friends will [help] live on forever. I’m super appreciative and super humbled by it,” he explained.
Since his first Olympic Games back in 2004 where he took bronze, LeBron has deservedly earned himself the title of 'King James', being widely recognised as one of the all-time basketball greats throughout the world.
The now 39 year-old has been named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player four times and an All-Star a record number of twenty times.
There is no doubt as to why James has been chosen to bear the Stars and Stripes for the United States, having impacted millions of people across the country - and world - on and off the court.
From supporting his local community of Akron, Ohio through the LeBron James Family Foundation and using his voice in the face of injustice, to becoming the first Black man to front the cover of Vogue and actively supporting a number of global non-profit organisations, it’s clear that James has used his status as a force for good.
Despite expressing a desire to continue playing into his forties, Paris 2024 will likely mark James’ final Olympics, giving him one final opportunity to secure a third gold medal.