Team USA prepares for Opening Ceremony despite attacks on French high-speed rail

PARIS ( WAVY ) – Over 360 athletes from Team USA will float down the Seine River in Paris on Friday as a part of the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Friday’s ceremony marks the first time a game’s opening ceremony has taken place outside of a stadium.

Nexstar’s Marielena Balouris spoke with reigning U.S. Open Tennis champion Coco Gauff, who has been named flag bearer alongside NBA star LeBron James, on how her younger self would react to receiving such an honor.

“But, you know, it’s not maybe the most popular sport for the Olympics,” Gauff said. “So, I just didn’t think that was even a possibility. So, I think she would just be really surprised. And in doing it alongside one of her idols like LeBron is, I don’t know. I’ve watched so many Heat games on TV in person. I’ve seen them in person a couple of times.”

At just 20 years old, Gauff is the youngest as well as the first tennis athlete to carry the U.S. flag in an Opening Ceremony.

Just hours ahead of the ceremony, however, the French national rail company SNCF announced there was a “malicious” arson attack on the French high-speed rail network, including the Eurostar, which has the potential to impact travel for up to 800,000 people.

The State Department has stated that they are confident in the plans that France has in place for the ceremony.

Despite the attack on the rail system, many notable figures, including first lady Jill Biden and members of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, have arrived safely.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.