Tennis fans were buzzing with excitement as young American tennis sensation Coco Gauff was selected to be an Olympic flag-bearer for the United States national team. The decision drew a myriad of positive reactions, but not everyone was thrilled about it. Sprint legend and former four-time US gold medalist, Michael Johnson, expressed his disappointment with the choice.
Johnson, who has an impressive Olympic track record himself, believed that gymnastics superstar Simone Biles would have been a more fitting choice to join NBA superstar LeBron James as a flag-bearer. With Biles boasting four gold medals, two bronze, and one silver under her belt, Johnson felt that the selection of Gauff over Biles was more about popularity than merit.
“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 shared in an interview with the BBC.
Despite the controversy surrounding her selection, Gauff herself was taken aback and emotional upon learning the news. In a pre-Olympic press conference, the 20-year-old revealed, “I thought I was gonna surprise them on the phone, and [my mom] was like, ‘Yeah, I already knew.’ So I was like, ‘Yeah, that’s great.’ But I’m glad that they’ll be able to come and be here. I know they’re excited.”
With Gauff being the highest-ranked American female tennis player and a US Open champion from last year, the decision to select her as an Olympic flag-bearer did make sense on paper. However, Johnson’s critique adds an interesting dimension to the discussion, highlighting the differing opinions on the matter within the sporting community. It remains to be seen how this controversy will impact Gauff’s Olympic experience and whether she can prove her detractors wrong with a stellar performance on the court.
