With its traditional pomp and pageantry, the Summer Olympics open in Paris
Three years after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics began on July 23, 2021, 12 months after its originally scheduled start date due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the 17-day Paris Olympics commences tomorrow with the traditional spectacular opening ceremony. It is the third time the City of Light has hosted the Olympics adding to the 1900 and 1924 stagings.
For the first time since its inception at the 1908 London Olympics, the Parade of Nations—where athletes stride into a venue wearing their country’s matching outfit in a collective display of unity and sportsmanship—will not be held in a stadium. Instead, the procession will take place on the 3.7 mile Seine River route, with competitors being feted while floating on boats and reciprocating to the adoring crowd in what Paris Olympics organizers are promising to be the largest opening ceremonies in the game’s history dating back to the first modern Olympics in Athens, Greece in 1896. Over 300,000 spectators are expected to attend the opening ceremony.
NBA icon LeBron James will be a pioneer as the first men’s basketball player to be the United States’ flag bearer, as selected by his nearly 600 fellow Team USA Olympians. U.S. Open tennis champion Coco Gauff will be the female flag-bearer for Team USA. This will be James’s fourth time playing for the U.S. squad, helping them win gold in 2008 and 2012, and earning a bronze as 19-year-old in 2004.
“It’s an incredible honor to represent the United States on a global stage, especially in a moment that can bring the world together,” said the now 39-year-old, four-time NBA champion and all-time leading scorer last weekend upon being informed of the honor.
“For a kid from Akron, this responsibility means everything to not only myself, but to my family, all the kids in my hometown, my teammates, fellow Olympians and so many people across the country with big aspirations.”
The Paris Olympics is replete with some of the most legendary athletes in history such as James and gymnast Simone Biles, the 27-year-old, Columbus, Ohio native widely viewed as the best ever. She has seven Olympic medals, including four golds, and 23 World Championship gold medals. Yet by the time the closing ceremony ends the Games on August 11, new worldwide stars are certain to have emerged on the sports and cultural landscape.
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