The Paris Summer season Olympics are already off to a significantly better begin for Coco Gauff: On Wednesday, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) introduced that the tennis star was chosen to be Crew USA’s feminine flag bearer for the opening ceremony on July 26.
It’s fairly the one-eighty for Gauff. Within the days main as much as the final Video games in Tokyo, Gauff’s Olympic goals had been dashed. The 17-year-old was getting ready to fly out to Japan for her first-ever Video games when she examined constructive for COVID-19 and needed to pull out.
“It has all the time been a dream of mine to symbolize the USA on the Olympics, and I hope there might be many extra probabilities for me to make this come true sooner or later,” Gauff wrote on Twitter whereas sharing the information.
That probability got here three years later when she made Crew USA for Paris 2024—and grew into a good greater alternative than she ever might have imagined.
Gauff’s choice as flag bearer wasn’t simply particular as a result of it marked a triumphant Olympics debut for her, however due to how it was chosen: Flag bearers are picked via a vote of their friends, so fellow Crew USA athletes collectively backed Gauff as their illustration.
“It made me cry yesterday,” Gauff mentioned on the Immediately present. “After I known as my mother, I began crying as a result of I believe it’s much more particular that so many unimaginable individuals—even now I get emotional desirous about it—however so many unimaginable individuals simply assume that I’m worthy of this, and it means lots, really.”
And having it come on the heels of her Tokyo disappointment did make it a little bit sweeter too.
“I knew once I had that letdown [that] I used to be going to work and do no matter I might to be right here in Paris,” she mentioned. “And it’s loopy how among the darkest moments in your life can prep you for the most important one. Not solely am I right here enjoying my first Olympics, however I’ve the respect to be the flag bearer, which is one thing I by no means thought [would happen] in my lifetime.”
Gauff’s flag bearer choice will earn her a spot within the historical past books. In response to the USOPC, Gauff is the primary Crew USA tennis participant to be awarded the respect. And The Washington Put up stories that, at 20 years outdated, she’s the youngest American to function flag bearer ever too.
On July 26, Gauff will be a part of LeBron James (Crew USA’s male flag bearer) throughout the opening ceremony of the Summer season Video games, a first-of-its-kind occasion that might be held not in a stadium, however on boats alongside the scenic Seine River. Following that, Gauff will get able to convey residence some {hardware}: She’s competing in singles, doubles, and blended doubles.
“I’m feeling nice,” Gauff mentioned. “I’m excited to be again on clay.”
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