A meme was born when LeBron James carried the American flag on the Seine River during the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony on Friday.
Serving as one of America’s flagbearers with tennis star Coco Gauff, James drew comparisons to the iconic image of George Washington crossing the Delaware River on social media.
Rain poured on the NBA legend and roughly 600 American Olympic athletes as Team USA’s boat navigated the waters in Paris, creating an iconic scene for the two-time Gold Medalist.
James was named by his fellow U.S. Olympians to serve as the male flagbearer for the Paris Games, becoming the third basketball player — and the first men’s player — to carry the U.S. flag during the opening ceremonies.
“It’s an incredible honor to represent the United States on this global stage, especially in a moment that can bring the whole world together,” James said. “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.
“Sports have the power to bring us all together, and I’m proud to be a part of this important moment.”
Playing in his fourth Olympic Games, James was interviewed live on NBC as the boar floated across the Seine.
