Coco Gauff has made history as she will become the first tennis player from the U,S.A. to be selected as the flag bearer at the Olympic Opening Ceremony. Gauff will be the youngest American flag bearer in Olympic history. She’s almost half the age of Lebron James, who will be the men’s flag bearer. Gauff is well-liked and respected by her peers and the general public and was chosen by her peers–the other Olympic athletes. The International Olympic Committee decided to change it to two flag bearers per country starting with the 2020 Olympics: one man and One woman, to promote gender equality.
Coco Gauff Is a Great Choice
The video of Gauff finding out is so precious. Her expression perfectly sums up how big a deal this is for her. She will remember this moment for a lifetime. Christopher Eubanks got to be the one to tell her about this news. Gauff is a great choice. Obviously she’s in a different stage of her career than Lebron James, but she’s the #2 tennis player in the world, won a Slam last year, and is easily the American tennis player with the best shot at a medal in singles. She also has a solid chance in doubles.
This will be the first Olympic Games for Coco Gauff. Venus Williams won the singles and doubles Gold in her first Olympics in Sydney in 2000. Gauff has a long career ahead of her and winning a Gold Medal at the Olympics will surely be one of her aims. Clay is her favorite surface and if she gets a good draw she will fancy her chances to stand the tallest on the podium. Nicolas Jarry of Chile is the only other tennis player (ATP or WTA) who has been announced as a flagbearer so far. Tennis players carrying the flag has always been a great moment as it shows tennis on a global stage.
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
