Watch: USA names flag bearers for Olympic closing ceremony

Katie Ledecky. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Team USA names flag bearers for Olympic closing ceremony

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Aug 8, 2024 12:56 PM ET

The Paris Games are just a few days from wrapping up and as Sunday's Olympic closing ceremony approaches, Team USA made a big announcement regarding its flag bearers.

Swimmer Katie Ledecky and rower Nick Mead will have the illustrious honor of carrying the nation's colors this weekend.

Ledecky was given the news by teammate Bobby Finke over video call while she attended the open-water marathon swimming events Thursday morning. She was then awarded the blue jacket she'll wear to Stade de France.

.@katieledecky answers the call

The 14x Olympic medalist receives the news from @Robert_Finke that she’ll be one of Team USA’s flag bearers at the Closing Ceremony. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/bvTYp1eHxv
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 8, 2024

Ledecky, who won four medals in Paris, thanked fans for their support and was visibly emotional about being chosen to help lead out the American delegation on Sunday.

She'll be joined by rower Nick Mead, who was told about his historic new role by his boatmates. He becomes the first American rower to ever be an Olympic flag bearer.

Nick Mead made history as a member of the first U.S. men's four rowing team to win Olympic gold since 1960.

Now, he'll make even more history as the first rower to lead Team USA as one of our flag bearers at the Closing Ceremony. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/4cBLXz4s6T
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 8, 2024

Mead and his team became the U.S.'s first four-man rowing team to win Olympic gold in 64 years.

Ledecky and Mead will round out the foursome of Olympic flag bearers Team USA brought to Paris this summer. Basketball star LeBron James and tennis phenom Coco Gauff held the honor at the Opening Ceremony on the Seine River.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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