"This is crazy!" - Coco Gauff still in disbelief over being alongside LeBron James as USA’s flag bearer during opening ceremony of 2024 Paris Olympics

Coco Gauff was still in disbelief at being alongside LeBron James during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The two were selected as Team USA's flag bearers for the prestigious event by the 592 athletes who will be representing the USA.

The tennis World No. 2 was elated after being bestowed with this honor and thanked her teammates for giving her the opportunity:

"I just want to say thank you to my fellow team usa olympians/athletes for voting and choosing me for this incredible honor to be the flag bearer for the opening ceremony ❤️. Thank you so much. I am incredibly honored. 🥹🇺🇸," Gauff tweeted.

She had earlier expressed her delight at receiving the honor, on Instagram, and said how she felt that she was dreaming.

"Am I dreaming?" Coco Gauff wrote.

The 20-year-old had also said that he had "never thought in a million years" that she would have the honor of carrying the flag for her Nation at the Olympics.

“I never thought in a million years I would have the honor of carrying the American flag for Team USA in the Opening Ceremony. 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 - at a moment where we can bring athletes and fans together from around the world,” Gauff said.

The City of Light was host to the Opening Ceremony on 26th July to get the quadrennial Games underway. The journey started on and along the River Seine as the boats floated along to view the incredible landmarks in Paris including the beautifully lit-up Eiffel Tower adorned with the five Olympic rings, as crowds assembled on the banks watched on.

In a tweet that shared Gauff's Instagram story from the Opening Ceremony, as the boat with USA athletes reaches the Eiffel Tower, James can be seen asking her to look at the famous landmark. However, the 20-year-old, still apparently in disbelief at the magnitude of the occasion, was busy recording the story and took a quick glance at the landmark, saying,

"This is crazy."

She then immediately turned to her camera and expressed her excitement at being next to the basketball legend:

"Look, LeBron James! Look, LeBron James!" Gauff said excitedly.

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Coco Gauff will compete in the women's singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Coco Gauff (Image source: GETTY)

Coco Gauff will be the top-ranked player for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics and will be competing in the women's singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles.

In singles, the second seed will kick off her campaign against Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic, in what will be the first meeting between the two women.

Gauff will be teaming up with Jessica Pegula for the women's doubles. The highly successful partnership will be the top seed and will take on the Australian pair of Ellen Perez and Daria Saville.

Finally, Coco Gauff will pair up with the top-ranked American men's player Taylor Fritz in the mixed doubles. The pair are seeded third and were supposed to take on the Kazakhstan duo of Elena Rybakina and Alexander Bublik in their opening match. However, after Rybakina's withdrawal, the pair will face the Argentinian duo of Nadia Podroska and Maximo Gonzales.