The opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris was held on Friday, and it was an exciting event that celebrated many different nations and athletes.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James bore the United States flag during the event, and it will likely become one of the proudest moments of his life. He became the first male basketball player in Olympic history to do so.
But he wasn’t the only Lakers legend who took part in the ceremony. Hall of Fame big man Pau Gasol got to hold the famed Olympic torch while at the Athlete’s Village, and he posted a video on social media of himself doing so.
It has been an unforgettable experience to arrive at the Athlete's Village with the Olympic torch 🙌♥️ #Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/9pPMUIYEm8
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) July 26, 2024
Gasol was, at times, underappreciated during his time with the Lakers. But he transformed them from a franchise stuck in mediocrity to one that instantly reached the NBA Finals three straight times and captured back-to-back Larry O’Brien Trophies, including one over the Boston Celtics.
He was just named to ESPN’s list of the top 25 NBA players of the 21st century. In addition to his two NBA titles, he also won two Olympic silver medals while winning the gold at the 2006 FIBA World Championship for his native Spain.