(July 24, 2024) PARIS – Preparing to make her Olympic Games debut, Coco Gauff was selected as Team USA’s female flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced today. Gauff joins three-time Olympian LeBron James as the two elected flag bearers who will lead the U.S. delegation on the Seine River on Friday. The Opening Ceremony will begin at 7:30 local time in Paris (1:30 p.m. EDT) and will be broadcast live on NBCI. “I never thought in a million years I would have the honor of carrying the American flag for Team USA in the Opening Ceremony,” Gauff said. “I could not be more proud to lead my teammates with LeBron as we showcase our dedication and passion on the biggest stage there is – at a moment where we can bring athletes and fans together from around the world.”
Gauff and James were chosen by a vote of fellow Team USA athletes through a process led by the Team USA Athletes’ Commission, which serves as the representative group and voice of Team USA Athletes. They are the second duo to share the honor of leading the delegation into the Opening Ceremony, which serves as the official start to the Olympic Games. Of the 592 athletes who were named to the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team, more than 350 athletes are set to participate in Friday’s Opening Ceremony.
Ranked a career-high No. 2 in singles, Gauff is the reigning US Open women’s singles champion and recently won her first Grand Slam doubles title at the French Open with Katerina Siniakova from Czechia. Gauff has won seven career WTA singles and nine doubles titles (five with Jessica Pegula) and reached the world No.1 doubles ranking for the first time in the summer of 2022.
“I’m incredibly proud of Coco – I know how great she is as a tennis player, but more importantly, how great she is as a person,” said Chris Eubanks, teammate and friend who nominated Gauff. “I don’t think there is anyone more deserving of this honor and I’m excited to see her carry the flag as she leads our U.S. delegation in the Opening Ceremony.”
Singles and doubles competition begins July 27 at Roland Garros. In doubles play, Gauff will pair up with teammate Pegula on the clay courts of Roland Garros. Gauff was initially named to compete at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 but did not compete after testing positive for COVID-19 “We are proud to announce Coco Gauff has been selected to join LeBron James as the flag bearers for Team USA at the Opening Ceremony,” said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. “To be nominated by your teammates for this honor speaks volumes about the way in which Coco approaches her sport and her role as a member of Team USA. I’m thrilled for her to start her Olympic journey here in Paris and, with LeBron, to lead Team USA and inspire fans around United States and the world on Friday night.”
Gauff becomes the first U.S. tennis player in history to earn the honor of Team USA flag bearer.
NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 features more ways for viewers to watch their favorite events, competitions, and athletes than ever before, covering broadcast and cable networks, streaming service Peacock, Spanish language, theater experiences, extensive accessibility, social media, audio, and more. The Opening Ceremony will be presented live across NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo on July 26.
Follow Team USA in Paris Team USA fans can follow the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team at TeamUSA.com and across Team USA’s social channels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. The U.S. Olympic Team microsite will offer Team USA results from the Olympic Games, as well as athlete biographies, sport storylines and more.
The USOPC has launched its Team USA Paris 2024 media hub, where media can find qualified Paris 2024 athletes, sport previews, National Governing Body press officer contact information and more. The USOPC will continue to add on-the-ground information, including details on pre-Games press conferences, breaking news, high-demand ticketing and more to this website.
U.S. Olympic Team Flag Bearers – Opening Ceremony (summer only)1908 Ralph Rose, Track and Field1912 George Bonhag, Track and Field1920 Patrick McDonald, Track and Field1924 Patrick McDonald, Track and Field1928 Lemuel (Bud) Houser, Track and Field1932 F. Morgan Taylor, Track and Field1936 Alfred Jochim, Gymnastics1948 Ralph Craig, Yachting1952 Norman Armitage, Fencing1956 Norman Armitage, Fencing Warren Wooford, Equestrian*1960 Rafer Johnson, Track and Field1964 William Parry O’Brien, Track and Field1968 Janice Lee Romary, Fencing1972 Olga Fikotova Connolly, Track and Field1976 Gary Hall, Swimming1980 U.S. did not attend1984 Edward Burke, Track and Field1988 Evelyn Ashford, Track and Field1992 Francie Larrieu Smith, Track and Field1996 Bruce Baumgartner, Wrestling2000 Cliff Meidl, Canoe/Kayak2004 Dawn Staley, Basketball2008 Lopez Lomong, Track and Field2012 Mariel Zagunis, Fencing2016 Michael Phelps, Swimming2020 Eddy Alvarez, Baseball Sue Bird, Basketball2024 LeBron James, Basketball Coco Gauff, Tennis*Due to Australia’s immigration laws for horses, the 1956 equestrian events were held in Stockholm, Sweden. I just want to say thank you to my fellow team usa olympians/athletes for voting and choosing me for this incredible honor to be the flag bearer for the opening ceremony ❤️. Thank you so much. I am incredibly honored. 🥹🇺🇸— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) July 24, 2024
