The Paris Summer Olympics are already off to a strong start for Coco Gauff. Announced The tennis star was selected as the women’s flag bearer for the U.S. team at the opening ceremony on July 26.
It’s quite a complete turnaround for Gauff, whose Olympic dreams were dashed just before the last Tokyo Olympics, when the 17-year-old was preparing to travel to Japan to compete in her first Olympic Games when she tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to withdraw.
“It has always been my dream to represent the United States at the Olympic Games and I hope to have many more opportunities to make this happen in the future,” Gauff wrote. twitter While sharing the news.
That opportunity came three years later when he was selected for the U.S. team for Paris 2024, and it has grown into an even bigger opportunity than he ever imagined.
Gauff being selected as the flag bearer not only marks her victory in her Olympic debut, how Who was chosen: The flag bearer is chosen by a vote of the players, so all the other players on the U.S. team supported Gauff to represent them.
“I cried yesterday,” Gauff said. today “When I called my mom, I cried because I knew what made it even more special was that so many amazing people thought I deserved this. I still get emotional thinking about it, but so many amazing people thought I deserved this.”
And the fact that it happened so soon after the disappointment in Tokyo made it a little more pleasing.
“When I felt that disappointment, [that] “I was willing to work and do whatever it took to get to Paris,” she said. “It’s amazing how the darkest time of my life has prepared me for the biggest time of my life. Not only am I competing in my first Olympic Games, but I also have the honor of being the flag bearer. I never expected this.” [would happen] In my lifetime.”
Gauff’s selection as flag bearer will put her in history: She is the first tennis player from the U.S. national team to receive this honor, according to the USOPC. The Washington Post At 20 years old, she is also reportedly the youngest ever American flag bearer.
On July 26, Gauff will attend the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics with LeBron James (Team USA’s men’s flag bearer), the first time the event will be held on a boat along the picturesque Seine River instead of in a stadium. Then Gauff will be ready to bring home a medal. She will compete in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
“I feel great,” Gauff said. “I’m excited to be back on clay.”
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