Coco Gauff talks about bearing U.S. flag along with LeBron James

On Friday, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience when he was a flag bearer for the United States during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics. But he wasn’t the only one who got to do the honors.

While James was the United States’ male flag bearer, tennis player Coco Gauff was its female flag bearer. In doing so, she was the first tennis player and the youngest athlete to bear Old Glory during an Olympic opening ceremony.

She said she cherished the opportunity to hold the flag along with James out in Paris to commemorate the start of this year’s Olympics.

“It means a lot to be here representing Team USA and be with the GOAT here, Mr. LeBron James,” said Gauff. “It means a lot, I’m so excited and I can’t wait to do well in the games.”

James and Team USA basketball will start competing for the gold medal on Sunday when they take on Nikola Jokić and Serbia in group play.