Antetokounmpo Will Lead Greece In The Paris Olympic Games

Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the flag bearer for Greece in the Paris Olympic Games. Credit: Nike advertising campaign

After dragging Greece to the Olympic Games, Giannis Antetokounmpo was officially appointed the flag bearer position for his country at Paris 2024 alongside foot march athlete Antigoni Drisbioti.

During the parade of nations at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, Greece always enters the stadium first and leads the parade to honor its status as the birthplace of the Olympics, with the notable exception of 2004 when Greece entered last as the host nation.

Representing his country at nearly every opportunity has been important to Antetokounmpo ever since he established a foothold in the NBA and with the Milwaukee Bucks – and the Olympic Games were always a goal.

His country has now honored him. The Hellenic Olympic Committee named Antetokounmpo a flag bearer for the opening ceremonies on the Seine River on July 26 in Paris, France. He will join race walker Antigoni Drisbioti as the first athletes to open the Games.

It is a historic moment for Greece, as Antetokounmpo becomes the first Black athlete to bear its flag in the Games.

Antetokounmpo was asked about the possibility of holding a flag following the game against Croatia.

“That is an honor,” he said. “If I am the flagbearer, great. If I am not, OK. I am just happy that I have a good coaching staff and a good team, I am in the Olympics. I just want to go and compete. But I would enjoy every moment.”

Greece will be represented by 101 athletes across 17 sports at the Paris Olympic Games due to begin on July 26. The latest addition is the National Basketball Team of 12 players that qualified on Sunday.

Greece has a long presence at the Olympic Games, as they have competed at every Summer Olympic Games, one of only five countries to have done so.

As the home of the Ancient Olympic Games it was a natural choice as host nation for the revival of the modern Olympic Games in 1896, while Greece has also hosted the 2004 Summer Olympics.