Coco Gauff named Team USA’s flag bearer for 2024 Paris Olympics alongside LeBron James

Gauff will become the first American tennis player to be a flag bearer for Team USA at the Summer Games.

Coco Gauff named Team USA’s flag bearer for 2024 Paris Olympics alongside LeBron James

Coco Gauff (L) and LeBron James (via Imago and X)

Coco Gauff has been selected as the female flagbearer for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She will join LeBron James, the male flagbearer, in leading her compatriots at the Opening Ceremony on Friday (July 26).

It was announced on Tuesday that James was nominated by his fellow American Olympians to be the male flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee has now declared that Gauff has been selected following a voting process led by the Team USA Athletes’ Commission.

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Gauff will become the first American tennis player to be a flag bearer for Team USA at the Summer Games. She will also be the youngest ever American flag bearer at the quadrennial event and only the third Black woman to be given that role since Evelyn Ashford (Seoul 1988) and Dawn Staley (Athens 2004.

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The World No. 2 is set to make her Olympic debut in Paris after being forced to withdraw from the 2020 Tokyo Games due to COVID-19. The 20-year-old will be joined by Jessica Pegula, Danielle Collins, Emma Navarro, and Desirae Krawczyk on the U.S. women’s tennis team. The men’s team includes Christopher Eubanks, Taylor Fritz, Marcos Giron, and Rajeev Ram.

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Coco Gauff looks up to Serena Williams before Olympic debut in Paris

Coco Gauff rose to fame as a 15-year-old when she defeated Venus Williams in the first round of the Wimbledon Championships in 2019. She has since quickly established herself as one of the best players on the WTA Tour.

Coco Gauff and Serena Williams
Coco Gauff and Serena Williams (Via IMAGO)

Gauff has said many times that she considers her idol Serena Williams her friend and mentor. She recently stated that she was fortunate to have established a good relationship with the American legend.

You’ve been lucky enough that your on-court relationships have turned into off-court friendships. One of those notable friendships is with your idol, Serena Williams. Serena was once just a stranger printed on a poster hanging in your room, and now you still can’t believe she’s a friend and mentor.
Coco Gauff wrote in a letter on the NBC Olympics website

The defending US Open champion stated that she hoped to uphold Williams’ legacy when she takes part in the Summer Games this year. 

Her profound impact on tennis, what it means to be a champion and to break barriers, is a legacy you hope to uphold and carry with you into your first Olympic Games.
Coco Gauff added

The American is considered one of the favorites to win the singles gold in Paris. She is also set to take part in the doubles alongside Jessica Pegula.

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