Four-time world champion Simone Biles became the first female gymnast and black woman to carry the USA flag in the closing ceremony – an honor rightfully deserved.
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Biles, 19, finished the 2016 Summer Olympics with five medals, four of them gold, tying the record for the most ever obtained by a gymnast at a single Olympic Games.
The United States Olympic Committee made the announcement on Saturday, and Biles called it “an incredible honor”. “This experience has been the dream of a lifetime”.
Biles is the second gymnast to serve as the US flag bearer in either an opening or closing ceremony. Swimmer Katie Ledecky also came away with five medals (four golds, one silver) and put forth one of the most memorable performances for women’s swimming, including when she outpaced her competition in the 800-meter freestyle by a whopping 11 seconds.
Her remarkable achievements meant she was designated to carrying the American flag during the closing ceremony of the games on Sunday evening. Yet as athletes were celebrating, one U.S. Olympian put another history-making stat in the book.
The victor of five medals in Rio, four of which were gold, will lead the Americans during Sunday night’s closing festivities.
In fact, numerous gymnastic phenom’s fans were quick to note that the closing ceremonies were inadvertently delayed because of the sheer number of people stopping Biles and asking to take a photo with her.
The athlete, who stands at 4ft 8in (1.42m), was widely reported to be a little nervous about carrying a flag that was about twice her size.
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Other countries also used their closing ceremony flag-bearer position to showcase young standout talents who impressed at the Rio Games.
