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Preparing for his fourth Olympic Games, three-time Olympian LeBron James was selected as Team USA’s male flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced today. The female flag bearer who will lead the U.S. delegation alongside James will be announced Tuesday.
The Opening Ceremony will be held Friday on the Seine River beginning at 7:30 local time in Paris (1:30 p.m. EDT) and will be broadcast live on NBC.
“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 have the power to bring us all together, and I’m proud to be a part of this important moment.”
James and his flag bearer counterpart were chosen by a vote of fellow Team USA athletes through a process led by the Team USA Athletes’ Commission, which serves as the representative group and voice of Team USA Athletes. They are the second duo to share the honor of leading the delegation into the Opening Ceremony, which serves as the official start to the Olympic Games. Of the 592 athletes who were named to the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team, more than 350 athletes are set to participate in Friday’s Opening Ceremony.
“We are thrilled to announce LeBron James as one of two flag bearers who will lead Team USA in the Opening Ceremony, and officially open the Paris 2024 Games,” said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. “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. We will watch with great pride as the flag bearers lead our athletes who are about to embark on a remarkable journey together.”
Preparing to compete in his fourth Olympic Games when competition begins on July 28 against Serbia, James is a two-time Olympic champion in 2008 and 2012. He made his Olympic Games debut in 2004, where he won the bronze medal with Team USA as a 19-year-old. James is a 20-time NBA All-Star, became the NBA’s all-time scoring leader in 2023, owns four NBA titles and is a four-time NBA MVP.
James becomes the first man and third member of USA Basketball to earn the honor of Team USA flag bearer, joining five-time Olympic champion Sue Bird (2020) and five-time Olympic gold medalist player and coach Dawn Staley (2004) as the only basketball players to have this designation.
The U.S. delegation will be on the second-to-last boat in the parade of nations on the Seine River, with the order based on U.S. serving as host to the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. Host country France will be celebrated last.
NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 features more ways for viewers to watch their favorite events, competitions, and athletes than ever before, covering broadcast and cable networks, streaming service Peacock, Spanish language, theater experiences, extensive accessibility, social media, audio, and more. The Opening Ceremony will be presented live across NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo on July 26.
U.S. Olympic Team Flag Bearers – Opening Ceremony (summer only)
1908 Ralph Rose, Track and Field
1912 George Bonhag, Track and Field
1920 Patrick McDonald, Track and Field
1924 Patrick McDonald, Track and Field
1928 Lemuel (Bud) Houser, Track and Field
1932 F. Morgan Taylor, Track and Field
1936 Alfred Jochim, Gymnastics
1948 Ralph Craig, Yachting
1952 Norman Armitage, Fencing
1956 Norman Armitage, Fencing
Warren Wooford, Equestrian*
1960 Rafer Johnson, Track and Field
1964 William Parry O’Brien, Track and Field
1968 Janice Lee Romary, Fencing
1972 Olga Fikotova Connolly, Track and Field
1976 Gary Hall, Swimming
1980 U.S. did not attend
1984 Edward Burke, Track and Field
1988 Evelyn Ashford, Track and Field
1992 Francie Larrieu Smith, Track and Field
1996 Bruce Baumgartner, Wrestling
2000 Cliff Meidl, Canoe/Kayak
2004 Dawn Staley, Basketball
2008 Lopez Lomong, Track and Field
2012 Mariel Zagunis, Fencing
2016 Michael Phelps, Swimming
2020 Eddy Alvarez, Baseball
Sue Bird, Basketball
2024 LeBron James, Basketball
