A photo of LeBron James holding the American flag during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games has already become a viral meme.
The four-time NBA champion, who carried the country’s flag alongside tennis star Coco Gauff, was spotted on the front of a boat sailing along the River Seine on Friday night.
Many were quick to draw comparisons to the iconic photo of George Washington crossing the Delaware River in 1776.
“LeBron James looks like he just founded America,” one fan joked on X next to James’s image.
General Lebron James crosses the Delaware,‘, said another hilariously, while a third joked:LeBron James invented the United States.
An image of LeBron James holding the American flag during the Olympics has become a meme
The moment of the opening ceremony was compared to George Washington on the Delaware River
In the photo, the basketball legend fell in pouring rain, surrounded by nearly 600 American athletes.
“It is an incredible honor to represent the United States on this world stage, especially at a time when the whole world can come together,” James said when he was named flag bearer earlier this week.
“As a kid from Akron, this responsibility means everything, not just to me, but to my family, all the kids in my hometown, my teammates, fellow Olympians and so many people across the country with big aspirations,” he continued.
‘Sport has the power to bring us all together and I am proud to be part of this important moment.’
The gold medalist, who is competing in his fourth Olympic Games, was also interviewed live by NBC during the ceremony.
“For me and Coco, for us to represent our country, because we’re black kids too, representing our culture, representing where we come from — it gives everyone so much hope where we come from,” James said.
“That is all we can ask. We take it with the greatest responsibility and honor.”
James was the 2024 U.S. flag bearer, along with tennis star Coco Gauff
“Sport has the power to bring us together, and I’m proud to be part of this moment,” he said