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Along with LeBron James for the United States and Dennis Schroder for Germany, Giannis Antetokounmpo was one of three NBA players awarded the job of flag carrier at the 2024 Olympics. Giannis, who is 29 years old and has won many MVP honors in addition to an NBA title, is regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in the world.
It was appropriate that he be honored for his accomplishments to the sport and his nation by being the first Black athlete to fly the Greek flag at the Olympics. This esteemed occasion highlighted his enormous influence and importance on the international scene. However, the NBA player would lose out on his captain's opportunity.
According to Pink Viila, "The day they told me and asked me if I'd be willing to represent the country and be the flag bearer, my first response was, 'I want my captain, Kostas Papanikolaou, to do it.' He had more national team appearances than me. But it was like, 'No, we want you to do it because you represent everything that sports represent: the way you carry yourself on the court and off the court; we love you to do it.'"
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s reaction demonstrates his humility and respect for his teammates. Despite his global renown and countless honors, he stays grounded and appreciative of the people around him. His suggestion to recognize Papanikolaou rather than himself demonstrates his team-first approach.
'I tried those 45 minutes to soak it' - Giannis Antetokounmpo
As per Pink Villa, "And I said, great. It'd be an honor for me to do it. And when I did it, as I said, the biggest honor that I've ever done in my life," Giannis stressed. "... It's something that might not happen again. I might win another [NBA] championship, I might win another MVP: who knows? But I might never carry the flag. So I tried those 45 minutes to soak it in as much as I could."
Giannis, who has had an incredible journey, found great meaning in this moment of carrying the flag. He was raised in poverty after being born in Athens, Greece, in 1994 to Nigerian immigrants. When basketball coach Spiros Velliniatis found him and his older brother Thanasis in 2007, his life changed. Giannis became well-known very quickly thanks to his unwavering work ethic and innate skill. His route to greatness was predetermined by the time he was prepared for the 2013 NBA Draft.