Giannis Antetokounmpo to be Greece’s first black flagbearer at the 2024 Olympics

Nigerian-Greek basketball star Giannis Antetokounmpo will make history as the first black flagbearer for Greece at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The Milwaukee Bucks’ star player is set to lead his country in the Olympic Opening Ceremony.

Antetokounmpo, a key player for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, has been a significant figure in securing Greece’s spot in the Olympics. The Greek men’s basketball team, led by Giannis, won the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) by defeating Croatia in the championship game, ensuring their place in Paris.

Greece has announced that Giannis Antetokounmpo will serve as the male flagbearer for the country during the Olympic Opening Ceremony on July 26, 2024. He will be accompanied by race walker Antigoni Ntrismpioti, the female flagbearer. This marks a significant milestone as Antetokounmpo becomes the first black athlete to carry the Greek flag at an Olympic Opening Ceremony.

Born to Nigerian parents who immigrated to Greece, Giannis faced numerous challenges growing up. He was stateless for the first eighteen years of his life, lacking documentation from either Nigeria or Greece. It wasn’t until May 2013, just two months before the NBA draft, that he was granted Greek citizenship.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has achieved remarkable success in his basketball career. He was named NBA Finals MVP in 2021 after leading the Milwaukee Bucks to the championship and has been twice named NBA MVP (in 2019 and 2020). His leadership was pivotal in Greece’s victory at the OQT, where he scored 23 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the final against Croatia.

Greece’s win over Croatia in the OQT, held at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Piraeus, marked their first Olympic qualification since 2008. The home crowd’s enthusiastic support helped propel the team to victory, and Giannis, attending the Olympics for the first time, was visibly moved, shedding tears of joy.

Greece has participated in four Olympic Games, with their best results being three fifth-place finishes. With Giannis leading the way, the team hopes to achieve new heights in Paris.

Antetokounmpo’s selection as flagbearer was unanimously supported by the Greek Olympic Committee, reflecting his importance to the team and his inspirational journey from a stateless child to a global sports icon.