In a personal and heartfelt revelation, NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo shared his profound experience of being chosen to carry the Greek flag. The honor, which he described as the greatest of his life, was a moment filled with emotion and pride.
When Giannis was first approached with the opportunity to represent Greece as the flag bearer, his initial reaction was one of humility. He suggested that his captain, Kostas Papanikolaou, should take on the role due to his extensive national team appearances. However, the decision-makers insisted that Giannis was the perfect choice, highlighting his exemplary conduct both on and off the court.
Accepting the role with gratitude, Giannis embraced the responsibility with open arms. He expressed that carrying the flag was not just a personal achievement but a tribute to his late father, who he believes was watching from heaven and celebrating the moment.
The experience was made even more memorable by the dramatic setting. The 45 minutes he spent as the flag bearer were filled with a sense of pride and reflection, making it an unforgettable moment in his life.
Giannis acknowledged that while he may achieve more accolades in his basketball career, such as winning another NBA championship or MVP award, the opportunity to carry the flag might never come again. This realization made him cherish the moment even more, soaking in every second of the honor.
Per Basketnews:
“The day they told me and asked me if I’d be willing to represent the country and be the flag barrier, my first response was, ‘I want my captain, Kostas Papanikolaou, to do it.’ He had more national team appearances than me. But it was like, ‘No, we want you to do it because you represent everything that sports represents: the way you carry yourself on the court and off the court; we love you to do it.’
“And, I said, great. It’d be an honor for me to do it. And when I did it, as I said, the biggest honor that I’ve ever done in my life,” Giannis stressed.
“And I know that my father is watching from heaven, and he’s dancing about this. It’s something that might not happen again. I might win another [NBA] championship, I might win another MVP: who knows? But I might never carry the flag.
“So I tried those 45 minutes to soak it in as much as I could. Going through the Eiffel Tower, and it was raining. It made it even more dramatic. Seeing my mom from all of the family… It was a great experience, and I will never forget it in my life.”
In his own words, Giannis described the experience as the biggest honor of his life, a sentiment that resonates deeply with his fans and fellow athletes alike. His story is a testament to the values of humility, pride, and the profound impact of representing one’s country on the global stage.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: “The day they told me and asked me if I’d be willing to represent the country and be the flag barrier, my first response was, ‘I want my captain, Kostas Papanikolaou, to do it.’ He had more national team appearances than me. But they said, ‘No, we want you…
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