LeBron James is the first NBA player to be named the flag bearer for Team USA but not everyone is happy with the decision.
The NBA's most famous player is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and is part of the all-star Team USA that is the favorite to win basketball gold in Paris.
Basketball has featured in 20 Olympic Games, beginning in Berlin in 1936. At that time, the United States was the dominant power, winning 16 times.
But while no basketball player waved the flag at the opening ceremony for the United States, some were unhappy with James getting the honor.
Former basketball star Riley Gaines made the decision by posting a photo of the basketball player kneeling while wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt during the national anthem at the 2019-20 NBA Finals. acquired by James Lakers. .
“This is the chosen American flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games,” Gaines wrote. “Whoever kneeled during the national anthem should have been stripped of this honor.”
Gaines built a following when she became an advocate against trans women participating in women's sports.
She competed against Lia Thomas, who became the first transgender athlete to win the NCAA Division One national championship.
Gaines now hosts weekly Outkick and Fox Nation podcasts Benefits for girls.
While LeBron and many other basketball stars knelt during the national anthem, US President Donald Trump called out James, calling players who kneel during the Star Spangled Banner “disgraceful” and saying it made the game unplayable. his eyes will see it.
But James responded, saying, “I really don't think the basketball community is sad about losing their fans. Our game is in a beautiful place and has fans all over the world.
“And our fans don't just like the way we play… but also respect whatever else we're trying to bring to the game and accept what's right and what's wrong.”
However, Mr Trump responded, criticizing the NBA for not being willing to speak out about human rights abuses in China while taking “billions of dollars” from the country.
James has been criticized for listening to China, particularly his handling of Hong Kong during the 2019-2020 protests.
Tennis star and Olympic rookie Coco Gauff will join James as flag bearer for the 2024 opening ceremony.
Another NBA teammate, Steph Curry, told James that he was voted on by all of the Team USA Olympic athletes.
“For a kid from Akron, this role means everything not only to me, but to my family, all the kids in my town, my coworkers, my fellow Olympians and many people around the country who have great ambitions,” said James.
“Sports has the power to bring us all together, and I'm proud to be a part of this important moment.”
James, who did not qualify for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics that the United States still won without him, will become the oldest American to play in the Olympics at age 39.
On why he wanted to go to Paris, James told The Today Show: “At this point in my career, I still have a lot to do, and Team USA has given me a lot. So I feel like this is an opportunity for me to give back.”
Gauff was also shocked.
“Never in a million years did I think I would have the honor of carrying the American flag for Team USA at the opening ceremony,” Gauff said in a statement.
“I couldn't be more proud to lead my teammates alongside LeBron as they show our commitment and passion on the biggest stage.”
