The Hellenic Olympic Committee has selected basketball star Giannis Antetokounmpo and race walker Antigoni Drisbioti as Greece’s flag bearers who lead the athletes’ parade at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

According to Olympic tradition, the flag bearer is a position of honor and represents the athletes that have been chosen to be official representatives of the country.

In the case of Greece, being the flag bearer carries a special position of prominence and honor as according to Olympic tradition, Greece is the first nation to enter the stadium when opening ceremonies take place.

The Milwaukee Bucks superstar and NBA MVP recently guided the Greek national team to the Olympics during the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where Greece defeated Croatia 80-69 in the final. In that game, Antetokounmpo scored 23 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.

This will be Giannis’ first Olympics, as Greece has qualified for the Olympic Games for the first time since 2008 in Beijing. They will meet Canada, Australia, and Spain in the Olympic Basketball Tournament Group A.

Antigoni Drisbioti has won numerous championships in her sport. She expressed her honor in an Instagram post:

“The E.O.C.’s decision to appoint me along with Giannis Antetokounmpo as the flag bearer of the Greek delegation at the Olympic Games in Paris fills me with emotion and pride. For every athlete, holding their country’s flag at the opening ceremony of the world’s greatest sporting event is the highest honor. Such moments make the dreams, expectations, efforts, and struggles of a lifetime dedicated to sports flash quickly through the mind, but the demands of preparation soon ground you in the days ahead. In Paris, all the members of the Greek Olympic delegation will do our utmost to once again raise the Greek colors high.”