U.S. Olympic legend Michael Johnson was disappointed with the athlete selected by Team USA to be the flag bearer at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony on Friday, saying other “traditional” athletes were not chosen.
Tennis phenom Coco Gauff, along with basketball superstar LeBron James, battled wind and rain to carry the Stars and Stripes down the Seine for the first time during the players’ parade.
But Johnson believes the U.S. team made its choice on “popularity” and would have preferred if the committee had chosen seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles.
“I’m a little disappointed with the USA team’s selection,” Johnson said during the BBC’s coverage of the ceremony. Daily Mail.
“I was hoping for Simone Biles or an Olympian in a traditional Olympic sport. I think they were going for the popularity,” Johnson added. “Unless Simone said she didn’t want to do it, that’s a possibility.”
Biles, who served as the flag bearer at the closing ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympics, was conspicuously absent from Friday’s rowing festivities.
“The first competition is on Sunday, which is the women’s qualifying round … so of course she needs to rest before that competition,” Biles’ mother, Nelly, told NBC News’ Hoda Kotb and Snoop Dogg.
Gymnasts competing on Sunday were advised not to attend the opening ceremony because athletes were expected to be on their feet for more than nine hours on Friday.
Biles’ teammates Suni Lee, Hezly Rivera, Jordan Childs and Jade Carey also missed the ceremony.
According to the media, Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and sprinter who held the Olympic and world records in the 400 meters until 2016, has been a personality on the British news channel since 2001 and has been involved in the organization’s Olympic coverage since the 2004 Athens Games.
The flag bearers were chosen through a multi-sport vote by the U.S. team’s players, and were announced as James and Gauff last Tuesday.
Traditional Olympic events consist of sports such as running, pentathlon, wrestling and equestrian. According to the International Olympic Committee.
Tennis was played in the Olympics from 1896 to 1924, after which it was removed from competition. The sport returned to the Olympics in 1988.
Gauff, the reigning U.S. Open champion, was informed of her selection by longtime friend Chris Eubanks.
“I didn’t expect that,” an emotional Gauff said in a video posted by Team USA on X.
2024 Paris Olympics
She is the youngest flag bearer in U.S. Olympic history and the first tennis player to do so. This will be James’ first time carrying the U.S. flag in four Summer Olympics.
“It means a lot to me to be here representing the United States and being with the GOAT, LeBron James,” Gauff said. He told NBC. “I’m really excited and can’t wait to do well in the competition.”
Gauff will be competing in her first Olympic Games three years after being forced to withdraw from the 2020 Tokyo Games after testing positive for COVID-19.
The world number two will face Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in the first round of the singles tournament.
Gauff will have three chances to become an Olympic gold medalist as she pairs with regular partner Jessica Pegula in doubles and Taylor Fritz in mixed doubles.
