PARIS, France — Katie Ledecky and Nick Mead will lead Team USA as flag bearers for the Closing Ceremony at the Paris Olympics.
Ledecky, who won four swimming medals in Paris, and Mead, who helped the U.S. break a 64-year gold medal drought in men's four rowing, were selected by a vote of fellow U.S. Olympians.
"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.”
Team USA shared a video of fellow American swimmer Bobby Finke calling Ledecky to tell her she'd been picked to be one of the flag bearers.
"I'm here at open water and you're making me cry," a visibly emotional Ledecky told Finke upon hearing the news.
"I got chills," Mead said after being told by his teammates that he would be the first rower to lead Team USA as one of their flag bearers.
During the Opening Ceremony, tennis star Coco Gauff and basketball legend LeBron James were selected by fellow Team USA athletes to be flag bearers for the U.S. Olympic team.
When is the Closing Ceremony?
The 2024 Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday. It's expected to last until 5:15 p.m. EDT.
The Stade de France, home of the Paris Olympics track and field competition, will be the site of Sunday's Closing Ceremony. It'll be a more traditional setting than the ambitious Opening Ceremony hosted on the Seine River.
It will feature traditional highlights, including the athletes' parade and the handover of the Olympic flag to the organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. There will be a medal presentation ceremony — for the women’s marathon from earlier in the day.