A tradition unlike any other, 205 nations come together to kick off the Olympics in a spectacle that is the opening ceremony.
Often a sight for sports fans around the world to marvel at, seeing nearly 10,500 top athletes from all over being celebrated in one space.
And the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will be no different, as each nation sends representatives down the Seine River on a six-kilometre trip toward the Trocadero, where the parade will conclude and the Olympic torch will be lit.
Also, as years passed, there will be plenty of star power among the flag bearers. Each country has invited one male and female athlete to jointly carry their flag during the opening ceremony; here are some notable names that were chosen.
LeBron James, Coco Gauff, USA
The United States is well-represented, getting two of the world’s top athletes in their respective sports to wave the Star-Spangled Banner on Friday.
James, a three-time Olympic medalist (two-time gold) is the first male basketball player to be selected as a flag bearer for the United States. He joins Sue Bird (2020) and Dawn Staley (2004) as the only basketball athletes to hold that honour as Americans. It’s the 39-year-old’s first, and likely last, time competing at the Summer Games since capturing gold at the 2012 Olympics in London.
He’ll be joined by American tennis star Gauff. She’ll be the first tennis player in United States history to serve in the role, doing so as she makes her Olympic debut. The 2023 U.S. Open champion is No. 2 in the WTA’s women’s world rankings.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece
The two-time NBA MVP and champion was among the first athletes to be seen during the festivities on Friday, as Greece was one of the first nations to make the trip down the Seine.
It’ll be a full-circle moment for Antetokounmpo, who was stateless until 2013. He’ll now be the first basketball athlete, and Black person, to represent Greece as a flag bearer.
The 29-year-old will look to help his country win a men’s basketball medal for the first time. It’ll be just the fifth time Greece has qualified for the men’s tournament and first since 2008. Its best finish has been fifth, on three occasions.
Andre De Grasse, Canada
Fitting that Canada’s most decorated male Summer Olympian will be waving the red-and-white banner.
Paris 2024 will be De Grasse’s third Olympics but will mark the first time he’ll be attending the opening ceremony. The Markham, Ont., native is a six-time Olympic medallist and reigning 200-m men’s champion. He’s medalled in every Olympic event he’s competed in and is a five-time world champion as well.
At 29 years old, this may be the track star’s final run at the Summer Games, so it’s no surprise he was selected as Canada’s first athletics athlete since Charmaine Brooks in 1996 to represent the nation at an opening ceremony.
De Grasse will be joined by Maude Charron, who’s also reigning Olympic champion. The Rimouski, Que., native captured gold in the women’s 64-kg division in Tokyo in her Olympic debut. Charron will compete in the 59-kg division this year after her previous event was eliminated from the Olympic program.
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Shane Lowry, Ireland
Following a tough finish at Royal Troon a couple of days ago, after leading by as many as three strokes, the Irish golfer could use a win.
Representing his country at the Olympics for a second time and as a first-time flag bearer is a solid consolation. It’ll be the first time in the nation’s history a golfer waves its banner at the Summer Games. Lowry will be one of just three golfers to hold that honour during the 2024 opening ceremony in Paris.
Dennis Schroder, Germany
The former Toronto Raptor is not unfamiliar with success at the international level, helping the Germans win gold at the FIBA World Cup just last year.
Schroder is captain of the German men’s national basketball team, and was World Cup MVP following the squad’s gold medal finish in 2023.
He’ll be just the second flag bearer for Germany to earn that honour without any previous Olympic experience. Dirk Nowitzki was the other to do so, carrying the German flag at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Nakarai Shigeyuki, Japan
Ahead of the sport of breaking making its Olympic debut in Paris, Japan commemorated the historic moment by choosing its own event representative to bear its flag.
Shigeyuki, 22, joins Sun Chen of Chinese Taipei as the first-ever breaking athletes to represent at an opening ceremony. Shigeyuki is a bronze medallist at the 2022 World Games and gold medallist at the 2023 Asian Games.
He is among the favourites to win men’s gold for breaking.
Notable flag bearers at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
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