The U.S. Olympic Committee announced that Simone Biles will lead Team USA into the Closing Ceremonies as the flag bearer.
The last U.S. gymnast to receive the honor was Al Jochim, who carried the flag in the Opening Ceremonies for the 1936 Summer Olympics. Simone is the first female gymnast to be selected.
Simone released a statement to TeamUSA.org:
It’s an incredible honor to be selected as the flag bearer by my Team USA teammates. This experience has been the dream of a lifetime for me and my team and I consider it a privilege to represent my country, the United States Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics by carrying our flag. I also wish to thank the city of Rio de Janeiro, and the entire country of Brazil, for hosting an incredible Games.
Simone broke several records in her Olympic debut, such as becoming the only American gymnast to earn four gold medals at a single Games. Her gold medals include Women’s Vault, Women’s Team All-Around, Women’s Floor Exercise, and Women’s Individual All-Around. She also received a bronze medal for Women’s Beam.
Due to her impressive performance at the Olympics, many people are calling Simone “the greatest gymnast in the world.” Simon also joined other Olympic gold-medalists, Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky, for the cover of Sports Illustrated!
Katie Ledecky, Michael Phelps, & Simone Biles
Photo Credits: Sports Illustrated
The Closing Ceremonies will air on August 21 at 8 p.m. E.T. on NBC, and online at NBCOlympics.com.
If you enjoyed this story, read about The U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team or Simone Biles getting a kiss from Zac Efron.
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