Team USA Makes Major Announcement Regarding Katie Ledecky, Nick Mead

The honors at the 2024 Paris Olympics continue to roll in for swimmer Katie Ledecky and rower Nick Mead.

For Ledecky, she ended up adding four medals to her career tally, winning gold in both the 1,500-meter and 800-meter freestyle respectively. She also nabbed a silver medal in the women's 4x200m freestyle relay, and a bronze in the women's 400-meter freestyle, taking her career medal count from 10 to 14. In reaching that 14 mark, Ledecky officially became the most decorated U.S. female Olympian of all time.

As for Mead, he was able to end a drought that had been ongoing since 1960. He, along with Liam Corrigan, Michael Grady, and Justin Best were able to edge out New Zealand by 0.85 of a second in coxless men’s four to win gold. Their victory marked the first gold medal in the event in nearly 70 years, and also led to him getting to make some history along with Ledecky.

It was announced on Thursday by Team USA that both Ledecky and Mead will be honored with their achievements by being the flag bearers at the closing ceremony. Ledecky found out via a FaceTime call from men's swimmer Bobby Finke, who actually won the lone gold medal for the U.S. men's swimming in an individual event. Ledecky was clearly in awe by the news, and jokingly poked fun at Finke for making her cry as she was gifted her honorary jacket for the ceremony.

Mead's selection as the flag-bearer, which like Ledecky was voted on by fellow athletes, caught him completely off guard. He learned the news while he was awaiting breakfast and while his teammate was telling him how well Team USA did in Paris. Mead quickly revealed his next after learning he became the first U.S. rower to ever carry the flag, expressing a desire to eat breakfast and get a haircut.

“I got chills,” Mead said after he learned he'd be carrying the flag. “Alright. Gotta get a haircut.”

The closing ceremony is set to take place on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET at Stade de France. It is set to be hosted by The Tonight Show's Jimmy Fallon and sports broadcaster Mike Tirico.

Related: Katie Ledecky's Perfect Response To Michael Phelps' Reality Check Message To Team USA