LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 22: LeBron James of The United States looks on during the 2024 USA Basketball Showcase match between USA and Germany at The O2 Arena on July 22, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)

LeBron James and Coco Gauff will lead the United States as flag bearers for Friday’s Paris Olympics opening ceremony along the River Seine.

James, 39, is the first U.S. men’s basketball player to serve as a flag bearer. Women’s basketball players Sue Bird (2021, Tokyo) and Dawn Staley (2004, Athens) held the honor in the past.

Gauff, 20, is the youngest flag bearer in U.S. Olympic history, overtaking Cindy Nelson (1976 Winter Olympics, Innsbruck, Austria).

The duo will be among more than 350 American Olympians taking part in the opening ceremony, which begins at 7:30 p.m. local time (1:30 p.m. ET) in Paris.

How were James and Gauff chosen?
James and Gauff were picked by their peers. The 592 athletes representing the U.S. voted on the flag bearers for this year’s Games.

“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,” said James, 39, whose popularity has soared well beyond his country as the face of the NBA and the sport’s all-time leading scorer.

“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,” he said. “Sports have the power to bring us all together, and I’m proud to be a part of this important moment.”

Said Gauff: “I never thought in a million years I would have the honor of carrying the American flag for Team USA in the Opening Ceremony. I could not be more proud to lead my teammates with LeBron as we showcase our dedication and passion on the biggest stage there is — at a moment where we can bring athletes and fans together from around the world.”

Who has carried the flag for the U.S. in past Summer Olympics?
Bird and Eddy Alvarez (baseball) served as flag bearers in Tokyo in 2021 at the last Summer Games.

Prior to 2021, the U.S. had only one flag bearer per opening ceremony. Some recent choices:

2016 (Rio de Janeiro): Michael Phelps, swimming
2012 (London): Mariel Zagunis, fencing
2008 (Beijing): Lopez Lomong, track and field
2004 (Athens): Dawn Staley, basketball
2000 (Sydney): Cliff Meidl, canoeing
1996 (Atlanta): Bruce Baumgartner, wrestling
Who are other notable flag bearers?

James isn’t the only basketball player carrying a flag Friday.

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will be one of Greece’s two flag bearers, while Brooklyn Nets guard Dennis Schröder takes the honor for Germany. South Sudan’s Kuany Kuany and Belgium’s Emma Meesseman are also carrying the flag for their respective countries.

Andre de Grasse, the sprinter who won gold in the 200-meter in Tokyo, will carry the flag for Canada along with weightlifter Maude Charron.

Host country France’s flag bearers will be swimmer Florent Manaudou and discus thrower Melina Robert-Michon.