Coco Gauff being an Olympic flag-bearer for the United States national team drew lots of positive reactions but one big name wasn’t so happy about it as former four-time US gold medalist Michael Johnson said he was “disappointed” with that selection.
After NBA superstar and two-time gold medalist LeBron James was selected to bear the Olympic flag, the US Olympic team decided that world No. 2 Gauff should join him. On paper, selecting Gauff made sense since she is currently the highest-ranked American female tennis player and she also won the US Open last year.
But Johnson – an American sprint legend – thought that gymnast superstar Simone Biles should have been picked to join James as the flag-bearer. Entering this year’s Olympics, 27-year-old Biles has four gold medals, two bronze, and one silver medal.
“I’m a little disappointed with USA team’s choice. I was hoping for a Simone Biles or an Olympic athlete from a traditional Olympic sport. I think they went for popularity. Unless Simone said she didn’t want to [because she has to get ready for her competition]. That’s a possibility,” Johnson said on the BBC.
How Gauff reacted to being a flag-bearer for the US Olympic team?
When hearing…
