Call for LeBron James to be disqualified from carrying US flag at Paris Olympics
LeBron James has become the first NBA player to be named a flag-bearer for Team USA but not everyone is happy about the decision.
The NBA’s all-time leading points scorer is a two-time Olympic gold medallist and is part of the all-star Team USA who is the hot favourite to win another basketball gold in Paris.
Basketball has featured in 20 Olympic Games, dating back to Berlin 1936. In that time, the US have been the dominant force, winning 16 times.
But despite no basketballer having waved the flag at the opening ceremony for the US, some weren’t happy about James being tapped for the honour.
High-profile former college swim star Riley Gaines has come out swinging, calling out the decision by posting a photo of the basketball legend kneeling while wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt during the national anthem from the 2019-20 NBA Finals that James’ Lakers won.
“THIS is who was chosen as the U.S. flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Olympics,” Gaines wrote. “Anyone who has ever knelt for the national anthem should be disqualified from this honor.”
Gaines has built a following while becoming a vocal advocate against trans women participating in women’s sports.
She competed against Lia Thomas, who became the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division One national championship.
Gaines now hosts a weekly Outkick and Fox Nation podcast Gaines for Girls.
Back when LeBron and many other basketball stars were kneeling during the anthem, then US President Donald Trump called James out, calling players kneeling during the Star Spangled Banner “disgraceful” and saying it had made the game unwatchable to him.
But James hit back, saying: “I really don’t think the basketball community are sad about losing his viewership. Our game is in a beautiful position and we have fans all over the world.
“And our fans don’t only love the way we play the game … but also respect what else we try to bring to the game and acknowledging what’s right and what’s wrong.”
However, Mr Trump hit back, criticising the NBA for its unwillingness to speak out on human rights violations in China while taking “billions of dollars” from the nation.
James has been criticised for keeping quiet on China, in particular its treatment of Hong Kong during the 2019-20 protests.
James will be joined by tennis star and Olympic rookie Coco Gauff as flag-bearers at the 2024 opening ceremony.
James was told by teammate and fellow NBA superstar Steph Curry he’d been selected in a vote by all Team USA Olympic athletes.
“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,” James said.
“Sports have the power to bring us all together, and I’m proud to be a part of this important moment.”
James, who did not make himself available for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics which the US still won without him, will also become the oldest American to play at the Olympics at the age of 39.
As for why he wanted to be in Paris, James told The Today Show: “At this point in my career, I still, I have a lot to give, and Team USA has given a lot to me. So I feel like it’s an opportunity for me to give back.”
Gauff was equally stunned.
“I never thought in a million years I would have the honour of carrying the American flag for Team USA in the opening ceremony,” Gauff said in a statement.
“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.”
