Why Coco Gauff missed Tokyo Olympics and what she’s said about Paris 2024
Coco Gauff missed out on the chance to compete at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021, but she will be in action in Paris this summer.
Coco Gauff will finally get the chance to become an Olympian this summer, with the WTA Tour star a part of the United States team that has headed to Paris. The Games are already underway, with the Opening Ceremony taking place on the Seine River on Friday evening, with Gauff the flag bearer.
The tennis event kicks off on Saturday, and the 20-year-old is included in the draw. It will be the first time the American will play under the Olympic rings for her country, having been forced to miss the previous edition in Tokyo three years ago.
With the 2021 Olympics taking place in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gauff was one of the unfortunate athletes who lost out on their dream after contracting the virus in the build-up. “It has always been a dream of mine to represent the USA at the Olympics,” she said in a statement at the time.
“I hope there will be many more chances for me to make this come true in the future. I want to wish TEAM USA the best of luck and safe games for every Olympian and the entire Olympic family.”
Fortunately for Gauff, that opportunity has come back around, with the added honor of carrying the U.S. flag at the opening ceremony alongside LeBron James. “I wanted to cry when I found out but my whole team was there, so I went in the corner and I did it," Gauff said of being selected.
"I truly am in shock and I don't take it for granted I'm going to try to take it all in and I know this will be a memory I will remember for the rest of my life. Honestly, walking around the village last night, so many people came up and congratulated me.
Opening Ceremony Flag Bearer @CocoGauff.
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 24, 2024
The moment Coco got the news from her teammate @chris_eubanks96… #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/yjIWPjm6J1
“Even some of the people who were on Team USA who I guess voted for me who I didn’t know. They were like, ‘Yeah, I was one of the people who nominated you and we couldn’t ask for a better person.'”
Gauff’s Olympics starts Saturday in the doubles alongside Jessica Pegula against Ellen Perez and Darian Saville of Australia. She will then do battle with the Australians in the singles a day later against Ajla Tomljanovic.
