Greek Flag Bearers “Giannis Antetokounmpo” and Antigoni Steal the Spotlight

From Beijing, China, to Paris, France, the world’s most prestigious sporting event, the Olympics, returns after a two-year hiatus. As the birthplace of the Olympic Games, Greece once again takes center stage as the first nation to enter the arena. Representing Greece as flag bearers, basketball superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and track and field athlete Antigoni Ntrismpioti emerged as the first “Olympic Athletes” to grace the global audience’s screens.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the male flag bearer, and Antigoni Ntrismpioti, the female flag bearer, clad in white jackets and sneakers, will play pivotal roles for Greece at the Games. Revered as exceptional athletes by the Greek people, the slight drizzle did not dampen their striking presence.

The 33rd Summer Olympic Games kicked off in Paris, France, on July 26, featuring 32 sports and 329 events, with 206 countries and regions participating. The Hellenic Republic fielded a team of 101 athletes, competing in disciplines such as basketball, water polo, athletics, and rowing.

Paris Olympic Games Opens with a Bang

Greece Leads the Parade of Nations onto the World Stage

Amidst cheers along the Seine River, the romantic capital, shrouded in a fine drizzle, punctually presented a feast for audiences worldwide. At 19:30 on July 26, Paris time (20:30 Athens and Moscow time, 1:30 am Beijing time on the 27th), the opening ceremony of the 33rd Summer Olympic Games commenced.

Following the conclusion of the Olympic short film by the organizers and the podium ceremonies, it was time for the highly anticipated entry of delegations from various countries. Athletes and spectators from around the globe witnessed the vessel of the Hellenic Republic delegation emerge first from the Seine River, capturing everyone’s attention. This was the first delegation vessel to appear on the scene, representing an ancient nation where the Olympics originated.

The vessel was filled with Greek athletes, each holding the Greek flag adorned with blue and white stripes, symbolizing “Freedom or Death” (Ελευθερία ή θάνατος). From the live broadcast, it was evident that the flag bearer was NTRISMPIOTI Antigoni, holding a giant Greek flag, with Giannis Antetokounmpo standing beside her. Other members of the Greek delegation surrounded them or stood at the rear, facing the spectators on the shore and the television cameras broadcasting to the world, waving their flags, symbols of freedom.

The Greek athletes, represented by the two flag bearers, exuded joy despite the overcast and drizzly weather of approximately 23 degrees Celsius. Many of them sported broad smiles, and some athletes at the back of the group even held handheld cameras to capture and commemorate this historic moment. At this very moment, Olympic enthusiasts worldwide joined in their enthusiastic cheers. According to the organizers’ arrangement, the fleet traveled from east to west, traversing the heart of Paris and navigating approximately 6 kilometers along the Seine River.

The cruise route began at the Pont d’Austerlitz near the Jardin des Plantes, by passed the two central islands of Île Saint-Louis and Île de la Cité, and passed through eight to ten bridges and locks. Along the way, the athletes admired iconic Parisian landmarks such as Notre-Dame de Paris, the Louvre, Pont des Arts, Pont Neuf, Pont Alexandre III, and Musée d’Orsay, as well as various Olympic venues like Place de la Concorde, Les Invalides, Grand Palais, and the finish line at Pont de Jena.

According to Olympic regulations, Greece, as the birthplace of the Olympics, is traditionally the first country to enter the stadium during the opening ceremony of each Olympic Games. Greece is not only the cradle of ancient Olympics but also the host of the first modern Olympic Games. People believe that having the privilege to enter first is a sign of respect for the Olympic birthplace, the Greek Olympic spirit, and Greek civilization.

They lead the procession of representative vessels from around the world, capturing the world’s attention first

The “Two Representatives” Making Headlines

Behind the Scenes of Their Global Spotlight

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s journey to stardom was marked by adversity and perseverance. Born to Nigerian immigrant parents in Greece, his family struggled to find stability and often lived in poverty.Born on December 6, 1994, in Athens, Giannis became the first black flag bearer for Greece. In an interview with ESPN, he recounted his early life: “I’ve been selling things since I can remember, starting from when I was six or seven years old,” working to alleviate financial burdens and contribute to the family’s modest income.

Initially aspiring to follow in his father’s footsteps as a soccer player, Giannis found his calling in basketball, encouraged by his coaches. In 2012, he played for Filathlitikos in the Greek Second Division before signing a four-year contract with Zaragoza 2002 of the Spanish Basketball League. His hard work paid off, and he entered the NBA through the draft in 2013.

In the 2022-24 season, Giannis Antetokounmpo was selected to the NBA’s All-NBA First Team. According to statistics, during his years in the NBA, he has been named an NBA All-Star eight times and won the NBA All-Star MVP award once. In October 2021, he was included in the NBA’s Top 75 Greatest Players list. On May 16, 2024, Forbes officially announced the list of the highest-earning athletes in the world for 2024, with Antetokounmpo ranking fifth with earnings of $111 million. Known as the “Greek Freak” in China, this amusing moniker stems from his complex name, and his basketball skills have garnered him a degree of fame in the country.

Quoted by the Olympic News Agency, Antetokounmpo expressed, “As an athlete, I feel incredibly honored to be part of something so significant and to be among the world’s best. It’s amazing.” He added, “I know my family is extremely proud of me and my accomplishments. Being Greece’s first black flag bearer is a tremendous honor.”

The other flag bearer, NTRISMPIOTI Antigoni, is Greece’s deserving race walking champion, boasting numerous significant achievements in international track and field events. Among them, her most notable feats include winning the European Championships in the 20km and 35km races in 2022. Considered one of the best Greek race walkers of all time, she was born in Karditsa in 1984 and debuted in track and field competitions in 2013.

In 2021, she secured first place in the 35km race walk at the European Championships in Pontevedra and finished fourth in the same event at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon. She also claimed two silver medals at the 2022 World Race Walking Team Championships and the 2021 European Race Walking Team Championships. During the European Athletics Championships held in Munich in August 2022, Antigoni won the 35km race walk European title with a time of 2 hours and 47 minutes, making her the first Greek woman to earn a gold medal in a walking event at the European Championships at the age of 38.

Four days later, on August 20, she clinched her second gold in the 20km race walk with a time of 1 hour, 29 minutes, and 3 seconds. Her success continued with gold medals at the European Championships in Brno, Czech Republic, and the Balkan Championships in Antalya. However, her achievements in 2023 didn’t end there, as the Greek athlete also secured a bronze medal in the 35km race walk at the World Championships in Budapest.

According to NBC News, participating in any Olympic Games is a lifelong memory, and leading the march at the opening ceremony only adds to the grandeur of the moment. Not only are these two athletes fortunate to lead their country during the national parade at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but they will also have the honor of leading the delegation of athletes from around the world.

As Greece will be the first nation to compete, NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo and race walker Antigoni Drisbioti will kick off the ceremony as the country’s flag bearers, with host nation France entering the parade last.

From a Misty Day to a Glorious Night:

The Olympics Unfolds More “Unknown Wonders”

The opening ceremony of the 33rd Summer Olympics extended from daylight to darkness in Paris, as audiences worldwide witnessed Paris transform from a misty, drizzly day into a dazzling, sleepless night. Performers danced in the rain without a hint of fatigue or discomfort, immersing themselves in the revelry of the rainy evening. As they moved to the music, countless transformations unfolded on this land, with singers expressing their attitudes and dancers showcasing their presence. This was the Seine by the shimmering waves, the Seine amidst the sound of oars and flickering lights, the Seine filled with laughter and joy.

On July 25, 2022, the Paris Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games unveiled the motto for the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics: “Games Wide Open.” On this night, Paris by the Seine showcased its openness to the world. The mascot for the 2024 Paris Olympics has been named Phryge, a personified version of the traditional French Phrygian cap, which the Smurfs wore in the animated series.

It is understood that competitions in handball, rugby, and football had already kicked off two days before the opening ceremony (July 24), while the official Olympic Games will run from July 26 to August 11, 2024. According to the schedule, the first gold medal of the Olympics will be awarded in either shooting or diving. Notably, the finals of swimming and track and field events will be held in the evenings, with swimming medal races starting at 20:30 (except for the last day, which starts at 18:30), and track and field medal races beginning at 19:00.

The Greek delegation will participate in various sports at the Paris Olympics, including basketball, table tennis, track and field, swimming, shooting, tennis, judo, fencing, artistic gymnastics, synchronized swimming, water polo, road cycling, wrestling, equestrian, rowing, sailing, and open-water swimming. Notably, on July 28 (July 29, Beijing time), Gionis Panagiotis will face off against Canadian-Chinese athlete Edward LY in table tennis. The flag bearers of the Greek delegation, Giannis Antetokounmpo and NTRISMPIOTI Antigoni, will begin their competitions as early as July 27 (July 28, Beijing time).

In this grand celebration, we see how the ancient Olympics, through the continuous participation, collaboration, and innovation of humanity, have remained at the forefront, narrating stories of glorious eras across generations. Along the romantic and loving Seine, athletes from all nations will embody the Olympic motto “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together,” striving to surpass themselves and their limits.

The Olympics have journeyed from ancient Greece to this new beginning in the loving city of Paris this summer. When youth meets dreams, when sports blend with Paris, and when the Arc de Triomphe witnesses the triumph of Olympic dreams, let us all participate in this grand sports festival belonging to humanity: cheer for dreams! Encourage our athletes! We will continue to follow this Olympic extravaganza.

Author 甘继光（Ganjiguang)