Coco Gauff will become the first flag bearer for the USA in tennis at the Olympics in Paris
26 july 2024 в 05:37
In the announcement by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Games Committee on Wednesday, it was announced that US Open champion Coco Gauff has been chosen as the flag bearer for the US women’s team at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, becoming the first American tennis player to be selected as a flag bearer for the US team.
The 20-year-old athlete will share this prestigious title with four-time NBA champion LeBron James, and the duo plans to lead the American delegation at the opening ceremony on the Seine River this Friday.
«I never thought in a million years that I would have the honor of carrying the American flag for the US team at the opening ceremony», - said Gauff, who will be the youngest flag bearer at the Olympics, in a statement.
Gauff and James were selected based on votes from their fellow athletes, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Games Committee (USOPC) reported.
«Being nominated by your teammates for this honor speaks to how Coco approaches her sport and her role on the US team», - said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland.
The role of Gauff was first reported by the «Today» show, which published an exclusive video of the moment she was informed, and interviewed her live on Wednesday, July 24.
«I was completely shocked», - Gauff said. «It didn’t even cross my mind. I have no words, honestly».
«I cried. I didn’t want to cry in front of my teammates, but when I called my mom, I started crying. I think it’s even more special — even now I’m emotionally thinking about it — that so many incredible people just think that I’m worthy of this. It means a lot, really».
Gauff added that she is excited to meet James, a star with whom she has interacted on social media but never met in person.
«He once wrote me words of support and congratulations on Instagram, but I never met him in person», - she said.
«I saw him in person at many Miami Heat games when I was a kid, and at some recent games. But I never met him. So it’s cool to meet him, and I think I’ll get to know him a little».
The world’s second-ranked tennis player, Gauff burst onto the international scene five years ago when she defeated her idol, Venus Williams, in a dream run at Wimbledon quarterfinals when she was just 15 years old.
She won her first major title at the US Open last year.
Gauff is expected to compete in both singles and doubles matches on the clay courts of Roland Garros. The Olympic tennis competitions will begin on Saturday
The 20-year-old athlete will share this prestigious title with four-time NBA champion LeBron James, and the duo plans to lead the American delegation at the opening ceremony on the Seine River this Friday.
«I never thought in a million years that I would have the honor of carrying the American flag for the US team at the opening ceremony», - said Gauff, who will be the youngest flag bearer at the Olympics, in a statement.
Gauff and James were selected based on votes from their fellow athletes, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Games Committee (USOPC) reported.
«Being nominated by your teammates for this honor speaks to how Coco approaches her sport and her role on the US team», - said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland.
The role of Gauff was first reported by the «Today» show, which published an exclusive video of the moment she was informed, and interviewed her live on Wednesday, July 24.
«I was completely shocked», - Gauff said. «It didn’t even cross my mind. I have no words, honestly».
«I cried. I didn’t want to cry in front of my teammates, but when I called my mom, I started crying. I think it’s even more special — even now I’m emotionally thinking about it — that so many incredible people just think that I’m worthy of this. It means a lot, really».
Gauff added that she is excited to meet James, a star with whom she has interacted on social media but never met in person.
«He once wrote me words of support and congratulations on Instagram, but I never met him in person», - she said.
«I saw him in person at many Miami Heat games when I was a kid, and at some recent games. But I never met him. So it’s cool to meet him, and I think I’ll get to know him a little».
The world’s second-ranked tennis player, Gauff burst onto the international scene five years ago when she defeated her idol, Venus Williams, in a dream run at Wimbledon quarterfinals when she was just 15 years old.
She won her first major title at the US Open last year.
Gauff is expected to compete in both singles and doubles matches on the clay courts of Roland Garros. The Olympic tennis competitions will begin on Saturday
© Puhova Marina
