"Anyone who has ever knelt for national anthem should be disqualified"-Riley Gaines on LeBron James being named Team USA flag bearer for Olympics

Riley Gaines has criticized the selection of NBA icon LeBron James as Team USA's male flag bearer for the Paris Olympics 2024. The former swimmer raised questions about James’ patriotism over his gesture of kneeling down during the USA's national anthem in 2020.

The ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement was at its peak in 2020, and several NBA teams and players spoke about racial discrimination. James, who plays for the LA Lakers, also took part in the movement during a match against the LA Clippers.

He and the Lakers' players were wearing ‘Black Lives Matter’ t-shirts and knelt down during the USA's national anthem on the court. Following the game, the 39-year-old said (via Sky Sports):

"We are dealing with a lot of racism, a lot of social injustice, a lot of police brutality, not only in my neighbourhoods, not only with Black people but with people of colour, and it's something that we want to continue to have people's ears open to. We have ears now, but we cannot stop with our foot on the gas as we've been doing over the last few months"

LeBron James was named to the USA Basketball team for the Paris Olympics 2024 and has now been chosen as the flag bearer for the nation. However, the decision didn't go down well with former American swimmer Riley Gaines, who claimed that James didn't deserve this honor.

Sharing a picture of James kneeling down during the anthem in 2020, Gaines wrote on X:

“THIS is who was chosen as the U.S. flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Anyone who has ever knelt for the national anthem should be disqualified from this honor.”

Riley Gaines lambasts WNBA player Brittney Griner over her stance on transgender athletes

House Oversight Committee Holds Hearing Examining Female Athletics And Title IX - Riley Gaines testifies (Photo-Getty)

After halting her swimming career, Riley Gaines has been vocal against the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports. She even sued the NCAA along with other athletes over the organization’s policy of allowing transgender participation.

Following WNBA star Brittney Griner’s comments that she supported the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports, Gaines lashed out at her, writing:

"Which NBA team would have @brittneygriner since apparently the overwhelming, obvious differences between men and women should simply be overlooked? Heartbreaking to see athletically successful women take this demeaning stance. And if we're going to talk about crimes, Brittney..."

Riley Gaines competed during the 2022 NCAA Swimming Championships, and in one of the events, she tied with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas for fifth position. However, the position was awarded to Thomas despite the two having clocked a similar time.