Katie Ledecky and Nick Mead selected as Team USA’s Closing Ceremony Flag Bearers for Olympic Games Paris 2024
by USOPC
PARIS – Four-time Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky and two-time Olympic rower Nick Mead were selected to lead the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team into the Closing Ceremony as flag bearers on Sunday, Aug. 11 at Stade de France. The Closing Ceremony will begin at 9 p.m. in Paris (3 p.m. EDT) and will be presented live on NBC and Peacock and in primetime beginning at 7 p.m. ET/PT.
Ledecky and Mead were chosen by a vote of fellow Team USA athletes through a process led by the Team USA Athletes’Commission, which serves as the representative group and voice of Team USA Athletes. They are the first duo to share the honor of leading the delegation into the Closing Ceremony, which serves as the official close to the Olympic Games.
"I am incredibly honored to represent Team USA as a flag bearer as we close our time in Paris together,” said Ledecky. “I am so proud of this team’s accomplishments in Paris and excited to celebrate with my teammates on Sunday.”
Ledecky added four medals in Paris to become the most decorated U.S. women’s Olympian of all time and the fifth most decorated Olympian in history with 14 medals. Ledecky’s Olympic journey began 12 years ago when at 15 she won her first Olympic gold medal at the London 2012 Games. With her historic win in the 800-meter freestyle in Paris, she became the seventh Olympian to win four consecutive gold medals in the same event — and only the second swimmer to do so after Michael Phelps. Her nine Olympic gold medals also tie her for the most Olympic gold medals won by a woman from any nation.
Mead, riding in bow, helped the team of Justin Best, Michael Gracy and Liam Corrigan secure the gold medal in men’s four rowing at the Nautical Stadium flatwater course. The gold marked the first for Team USA in the event since the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. The foursome, which has rowed together for the last two years, was motivated by their almost-podium finishes at the Tokyo 2020 Games where Mead, Corrigan and Best were all part of the men’s eight that finished fourth, and Grady placed fifth in men’s four.
"It is an incredible honor to be selected as the flag bearer, and to represent the United States and the sport of rowing, which has never had an American flag bearer in the history of the Olympics. To share this privilege with Katie makes it all the more special," said Mead. "My experience at the Paris Games has been the dream of a lifetime and I'm filled with immense pride, gratitude and joy. I also wish to thank the city of Paris, and the entire country of France, for hosting an incredible Games. I'll cherish these memories forever."
"It is an incredible honor to be selected as the flag bearer, and to represent the United States and the sport of Rowing, which has never had an American flag bearer in the history of the Olympics. To share this privilege with Katie makes it all the more special," said Mead. "My experience at the Paris Games has been the dream of a lifetime and I'm filled with immense pride, gratitude and joy. I also wish to thank the city of Paris, and the entire country of France, for hosting an incredible Games. I'll cherish these memories forever."
"Congratulations to our Closing Ceremony flag bearers, Katie Ledecky and Nick Mead, who exemplify the spirit of sport and the pride of Team USA,” said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. "The Paris 2024 Games have been nothing short of extraordinary, showcasing stunning performances and creating historic moments. Katie and Nick have significantly contributed to the joyous and celebratory atmosphere. We are thrilled and proud to follow them into Sunday's closing festivities."
Follow Team USA in Paris
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U.S Olympic Team Flag Bearers – Closing Ceremony (summer only)
1952 Bob Kurland, Basketball
1956 Pete Rademacher, Boxing
1960 Mike Troy, Swimming
1964 Don Schollander, Swimming
1968 Al Oerter, Track and Field
1972 Mike Burton, Swimming
1976 Willie Davenport, Track and Field
1984 Jeff Blatnick Wrestling
1988 Terry Schroeder, Water Polo
1992 Peter Westbrook, Fencing
1996 Michael Matz, Equestrian
2000 Rulon Gardner, Wrestling
2004 Mia Hamm, Soccer
2008 Khatuna Lorig, Archery
2012 Bryshon Nellum, Track and Field
2016 Simone Biles, Gymnastics
2020 Kara Winger, Track and Field
2024 Katie Ledecky, Swimming
Nick Mead, Rowing