Led by flagbearers LeBron James and Coco Gauff, Team USA made a grand entrance at the Olympic Games, gliding down the River Seine in a boat carrying around 350 Olympians—over half of the 594 athletes in the US delegation. The event brought together stars like basketball’s Stephen Curry and athletics icons Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson.
Despite the rain, the atmosphere was electric as Team USA found plenty of reasons to celebrate. Occupying two levels of their boat, Tara Davis Woodhall waved her Stars and Stripes enthusiastically to the cheering crowds along the riverbanks. Beach volleyball players Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng showed their excitement as the boat approached the iconic Eiffel Tower, which will also serve as the site for their matches.
USA’s boat was the second to last in the Parade of Nations, a nod to the United States hosting the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. The athletes enjoyed a special treat with an incredible performance by Celine Dion.
While not all of Team USA could be present in Paris for the Opening Ceremony, other athletes found creative ways to join the celebration. The US women’s soccer team dressed in their Opening Ceremony attire and took photos in Marseilles, while surfers in Tahiti participated in a smaller ceremony led by flagbearer John John Florence.
