The basketball icon reveals his desire to compete in athletics: “I would love to run the 400m relay” (EFE/EPA/ALLISON DINNER)
LeBron James, an American and international basketball icon, is aiming for his third Olympic gold medal this summer in Paris when he competes alongside Team USA at the 2024 Olympics. The 39-year-old James, who stands at 6-foot-5, is a towering figure in basketball history, but he has spoken of his desire to try another Olympic sport.
In an exclusive interview with TODAY, James revealed that if he had the chance to compete in another discipline in the Olympic Games, he would choose athletics: “I would love to run the 4×100 relay.”
He also said that he would like to be the anchor of the relay team. “Yes, I want to be the anchor (the last runner of the team), I am sure. I want to finish in the right way,” he said. Above all, he would participate in this discipline of athletics because he considered himself a “team boy.”
‘I want to be the anchor’: James expressed his ambition to lead the track and field relay team (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)
This summer, James will become the oldest American male basketball player to compete in the Olympics. While his legacy in the sport is secure, his ambitions go beyond basketball.
“I hope it’s not just about talking about basketball. For me, it’s what I do in our community and the people I inspire around the world that I want people to talk about my legacy,” he said.
For James, basketball was – and still is – a platform that allowed him to achieve unimaginable goals and explore the world: “It gave me the opportunity to see parts of the world and do things I never would have imagined.” But he made it clear that if his legacy were limited to just talking about basketball, he would consider his mission a failure.
At 39, James will be the oldest American male basketball player at the Olympics (MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/GettyImages)
As a four-time NBA champion and double Olympic gold medalist in 2008 and 2012, James has achieved almost every feat possible in basketball. However, his return to the Olympics has a special meaning for him.
“I think it’s just a matter of timing. Timing is everything and at this point in my career, I still have a lot to give,” she said. She added that she feels this opportunity is a way to give back to Team USA: “I feel like it’s an opportunity to give something back.”
The 2028 Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles. Despite recently signing a two-year contract extension with the Lakers, he does not plan to be in town during that event.
Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant with the gold medal at London 2012 (REUTERS/Sergio Perez/File Photo)
“No, I won’t be there,” he said. “I’ll be leaving that city when the Olympics come to Los Angeles,” he joked. He said he would live there for the year, but would be away during the Games.
James’ contribution to the world of basketball and his impact on the community and those he has inspired will endure long after his retirement. In the meantime, his focus is on Paris and giving Team USA one last memorable performance.
LeBron James was part of the U.S. basketball team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Basketball will be another of the many sports that will be present at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Fans of this discipline will have all the matches from July 27 to August 11 to see which three countries will finish on the podium. The only day without basketball between those dates will be August 5.
The finals are scheduled to take place at the Bercy Arena. The men’s final will take place on Saturday 10 August at 16:30 (Argentine time) and the women’s final will take place on Sunday 11 August at 10:30 (also Argentine time).
2024-07-15 14:22:00
#LeBron #James #revealed #Olympic #sport #practice