Coco Gauff Joins LeBron James as USA Flag Bearers for 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony

After LeBron James became the first men's basketball player to be selected as a flag bearer for the United States ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, more history was made on Wednesday.

2023 U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff was selected to be the women's flag bearer, making her the first tennis player to earn the honor for Team USA:

The selection as a flag bearer is especially meaningful for Gauff after she was forced to withdraw from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19. At 20 years old, she is now the youngest flag bearer in U.S. history.

"I never thought in a million years I would have the honor of carrying the American flag for Team USA in the Opening Ceremony," Gauff said in a statement. "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."

Ranked as the No. 2 singles player in the world, Gauff's win at the U.S. Open last September made her the youngest American to win a Grand Slam singles title since the legendary Serena Williams won her first in 1999 at the age of 17. She added to her mantle last month when she teamed with Czech Katerina Siniakova to win the women's doubles title at the French Open.

The tennis competition at the Olympic Games will be held at Roland Garros, the same site as the French Open, so Gauff will be familiar with the playing surface.

The opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics will be held on Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET. Rather than a traditional walk through the stadium, this iteration will feature a parade of boats carrying athletes down the Seine River.