The USA's most memorable Summer Olympic flagbearers

The opening and closing ceremonies for any Olympic Games is one of the premier shows in the entire world. It’s a big deal to be selected as the flagbearer for the United States as the star amongst stars in this spectacle. We’ll look back at some of the most memorable American flagbearers in the Summer Olympic Games as we enjoy the 2024 Paris Olympics.

We don’t have to look too far in the past to identify arguably the most famous flagbearer in American history. James told MSNBC, “For a kid from Akron, this responsibility means everything to not only myself, but to my family… sports have the power to bring us all together, and I’m proud to be part of this important moment.”

Gauff was also voted by her peers to be a flagbearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics, and she was stunned by the honor. According to Team USA’s website, Gauff said at a press conference, “There has never been a tennis player before (as a flagbearer) and I just didn’t think I would be that player.”

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Bird’s longevity and success in women’s basketball has been celebrated extensively, but perhaps one of the greatest honors of her sporting career came when she was named an Olympic flagbearer in 2021. According to Business Insider, it was her great friend and fellow WNBA legend Diana Taurasi who broke the news to her at a national team practice.

Winger was nominated to be the American flagbearer at the closing ceremony of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. It was an extra special honor for her, as it was the last time she would represent her country on the grand stage. She told Team USA’s website, “There’s no better way to conclude my career as an Olympic athlete than to lead the U.S. team into the Closing Ceremony.”

Phelps’ Olympic resume might be second to none, so it’s no surprise that he was front and center for the United States during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Games. After he was named, Phelps told CNN, “I want to walk in the opening ceremony, take it all in, represent America in the best possible way and make my family proud. This time around, it’s about so much more than medals.”

In what was perhaps the most dynamic flagbearer duo of all-time, the United States elected to have Biles carry the flag for the 2016 closing ceremony. Biles had a pretty funny concern before the big night, as she told NPR, “One of my biggest worries is like, I’m afraid the flag is going to be too heavy for me because Michael Phelps is so much taller and he seemed to carry it so easily.” It turned out to be fine for the legendary gymnast.

Fencing isn’t often discussed in the most notable sports conversations, which is why it was important Zagunis to be tabbed as the flagbearer for the 2012 Olympics. Former sabre champion Tim Morehouse told ESPN, “There were any number of great athletes who would have represented our country amazingly. I thought Mariel would be a great representative for all those untold stories that get overlooked.”

Lomong’s journey to being named an American flagbearer is an extremely personal one. He was a refugee from Sudan who was kidnapped away from his family as a child, according to CNN. “This is the most incredible thing I take away from the Olympics. There are swimmers, wrestlers, there is everybody united and we are all walking together to bring as many medals to our country.”

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Lorig’s timeline also features a unique path to flagbearing. She competed for the former Soviet Union in the 1992 Olympics, and for the country of Georgia in 1996 and 2000. She told ESPN after being named closing ceremony flagbearer “I never thought I’d have this opportunity. I am truly, truly so proud to be an American citizen and part of the U.S. Olympic Team.”

Staley will be a prominent individual during the 2024 Olympics for basketball analysis, but she was honored as a flagbearer during her playing days. She has the distinction of being the first basketball player to be named as a flagbearer. She told NBC, “I am a little girl from North Philadelphia in the housing projects…leading our U.S. delegation into the Opening Ceremony.”

There was no one more popular in the soccer world in the late 1990s and early 2000s than Hamm. She carried the flag during the closing ceremony of the 2004 Olympics. “I was in shock,” she told the New York Post. “I just stayed there and didn’t tell anyone. I will do it with nothing but incredible pride.”

Gardner’s performance at the 2000 Sydney Games embodies what the athletic competition is supposed to be about. He wasn’t predicted to do much as a Greco-Roman wrestler, but stunned the world by defeating Aleksandr Karelin. “It still shocks me,” he told the New York Times. “I’m numb about all of this. Now for me to carry the flag is also so incredible.”

Canoeing may not be the most popular of Olympic sports, but Meidl’s story involving how he got to the water is inspirational. The Olympics website chronicles a near-death incident he overcame in order to be named the United States flagbearer in 2000. “You think nerves before competition are bad? You should have seen me before the Opening Ceremony!”

The 1984 opening ceremony was especially important for the United States, who had elected to boycott the 1980 Games in Moscow. This brought a sense of normalcy back to the event and to the world, as Burke was chosen to bear the flag that year. The hammer thrower told the Olympics’ website it was “the greatest honor that your nation can bestow upon you.”

Armitage had the honor of being a flagbearer twice, which is something that fans might never see again. According to the Olympics website, Armitage suffered serious burns in a chemical accident in 1936. Undeterred, Armitage continued his Olympic career that year, all the way until 1956.

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