Greek basketball star Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to make history as the first black athlete to carry the flag for Greece at the upcoming Olympics in Paris. The two-time NBA MVP will share this honor with race walker Antigoni Ntrismpioti on 26 July.
The Greek men’s basketball team secured their spot in the Olympics for the first time since 2008 after a thrilling victory over Croatia in front of a passionate home crowd in Piraeus. Antetokounmpo, who led the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA title in 2021, was overcome with emotion after the game, expressing his lifelong dream of competing in the Olympic Games.
The road to becoming Greece’s flagbearer has been a challenging one for Antetokounmpo. Born to Nigerian parents who immigrated to Greece, he spent the first 18 years of his life without proper documentation, making him effectively stateless. It wasn’t until May 2013, just before the NBA draft, that he was granted Greek citizenship.
Despite his success in the US, Antetokounmpo has faced racism in his home country. In a 2020 documentary, he spoke out about the discrimination he has encountered, prompting backlash from some individuals in Greece. However, his resilience and determination have only fueled his drive to succeed.
As one of the first athletes to lead the parade at the Olympics, Antetokounmpo’s selection as flagbearer has been met with unanimous support from the Greek Olympic Committee. President Spyros Kapralos praised the decision, stating that both Antetokounmpo and Ntrismpioti will “lift our country high” with their representation.
While Antetokounmpo has yet to publicly comment on this historic moment, he shared a video on social media showcasing highlights from the qualifying campaign with a simple caption: “Greece.” His journey from selling goods on the streets as a child to becoming a global basketball icon is a testament to his resilience and determination to succeed against all odds.
