Nigerian-Greek basketball sensation Giannis Antetokounmpo will become the first black athlete to carry the flag for Greece at the Olympics.
Traditionally, Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics, has the honour of leading the parade, with Antetokounmpo among the first athletes to kick off the Games in Paris.
Two-time NBA MVP Antetokounmpo will carry the flag alongside race walker Antigoni Ntrismpioti, 40, in Paris on July 26. According to the Hellenic Olympic Committee, while Antetokounmpo was chosen unanimously, Ntrismpioti won via votes.
Antetokounmpo, 29, plays for the Milwaukee Bucks and became the first player in five major statistical categories to be in the top 20 in all five statistics of total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
In 2017, he scooped the Most Improved Player award and has been chosen for the All-Star roster seven times. Notably, he was appointed the All-Star captain in 2019, 2020, and 2023.