LeBron James to Lead US Delegation at Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

Global sports icon and four-time NBA champion LeBron James has been chosen by his fellow American Olympians to carry the US flag during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, a historic honor that marks the third time a basketball player has been chosen for this role.

James, a three-time Olympic medalist, received the news on Monday, July 22, in London. With this selection, he becomes the first men’s basketball player to carry the US flag at the opening ceremony of an Olympics. The US is expected to have nearly 600 athletes participating in the Games.

The Paris Olympics opening ceremony, taking place on July 26, will be a unique event, featuring a flotilla of athletes from over 80 national Olympic committees sailing along the River Seine towards the Eiffel Tower at sunset. This year, the International Olympic Committee introduced a new tradition, allowing national delegations to have two flagbearers – one male and one female – at the opening ceremony, in an effort to promote parity.

As James and the US Olympians await their turn on the Seine, they will join a procession of over 200 national delegations, with Greece and the Refugee Olympic Team leading the way. The US is scheduled to go next-to-last in the procession, with Los Angeles set to host the next Summer Olympics in 2028. France, as the host nation, will conclude the ceremony with its men’s basketball team, featuring Victor Wembanyama, participating in the opening match on Saturday.

For many Olympic athletes, the opening ceremony is not a mandatory event, with some choosing to skip it due to logistical reasons. However, James and the US men’s team do not open their Olympic play until Sunday, facing Serbia in Lille, France. Not all athletes will be present, but James and his teammates will be there to represent the US and kick off an exciting two weeks of competition.