At the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, the U.S. Olympic delegation came out 204th, and James stood at the very front of the parade, standing erect and holding the flag as the rain poured down. It was clear the star-studded U.S. men’s basketball team was one of the most talked about groups at the opening ceremonies, and James was the star of the superstars. This is James’ fourth Olympics, and he previously won two gold medals and a bronze. The Paris Olympics, another redemption tour for the U.S. men’s basketball team, as the U.S. men’s basketball team failed to win the 2023 Men’s Basketball World Cup, aims to defend U.S. men’s basketball glory in Paris.
“The rain can’t stop us.” James said. He has received rave reviews for his successful performance as the flag bearer of the U.S. Olympic delegation. James’ former teammate and Thunder guard Caruso retweeted the photo in question and commented, “Some say (James) is the best flag bearer, what do you think?” Caruso was supporting James in this way.
James was doubly honored about being a flag bearer: “It’s an honor to represent the United States on the global stage, especially in a time when the world is united. For a kid from Akron, this responsibility means a lot not only to me, but to my family, all the kids back home, my teammates, Olympic partners, and so many ambitious people across the country.”
James has had a significant impact on U.S. Men’s Basketball’s Olympic history, ranking third all-time in U.S. Men’s Basketball history with 273 total Olympic points, first all-time in total assists with 88, and tied for second in total games played with 24. James became the first men’s basketball player to be selected as a flag bearer for the U.S. Olympic delegation after women’s basketball player Dawn Staley was the flag bearer for the 2004 Athens Olympics and women’s basketball player Sue Bird was the flag bearer for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
The U.S. delegation was the penultimate to come out for the opening ceremony, which was well into the night, and the rain was getting heavier, with many wearing raincoats, and James was no exception. The U.S. delegation is the largest to participate in the Paris Olympics, with 592 athletes. The tall James was very visible at the front of the crowd holding the flag.
In between the opening ceremony, James held the flag in one hand and his cell phone in the other to video link with his mother as he excitedly shouted, “Mom, we did it!” James’s fourth Olympic Games have what different feelings? To the old James said: “I think the difference, it’s always a new experience, new team members, some people have never participated in the Olympic Games before, you just want them to witness all the moments here in Paris.”
Curry’s popularity was such that a number of people approached Curry for a photo before boarding the boat. Curry also pulled out a small plastic bag containing a number of badges, he started a “badge exchange” business, and other athletes to exchange. Surrounded by Curry, including the U.S. women’s table tennis team of three big Zhang An, Wang Amy, Song Jia Yu, and other players.
This is the first Olympics for Curry, who represented the U.S. men’s basketball team in the 2010 and 2014 Men’s Basketball World Cups, but missed the previous Olympics. That’s why he especially cherishes this trip to the Olympics, with one goal in mind, and that’s to win the gold medal.
The 12 athletes of the U.S. Men’s Basketball team were one of the most popular groups at the opening ceremony, with many people seeking them out for photos. With the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop, the 12 members of the U.S. Men’s Basketball team took a group photo that will become even more meaningful if the U.S. Men’s Basketball team wins the Olympic gold medal in Paris.