Who’s going to carry the US Olympic flag in Paris 2024? As part of an extensive list of markets, some Olympic betting sites have odds on the potential American Olympic flag bearer. You can wager on who will carry the national flag for Team USA at the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony.
Do you have a strong hunch of who will carry the American flag on The River Seine? This is the perfect Olympic betting market for you! Below, check out the latest odds, analysis, and US Olympic flag bearer predictions.
US Olympic Flag Bearer Odds for Paris 2024
The following US Olympic flag bearer betting odds are courtesy of BetUS:
| ATHLETE | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Simone Biles | -1000 |
| Yianni Diakomihalis | +800 |
| Katie Ledecky | +1000 |
| Noah Lyles | +1000 |
| Katie Grimes | +1400 |
| Jordan Chiles | +1400 |
| Jack Alexy | +1400 |
| Thomas Heilman | +1400 |
| Jade Carey | +1400 |
| Sophia Smith | +1400 |
Gymnast Simone Biles (-1000) is a heavy favorite to be Team USA’s Opening Ceremony flag bearer at Paris 2024. As a -1000 betting favorite, the four-time gold medalist has a 90.9% implied probability of carrying the Flag of the United States.
Aside from Biles, several athletes with long odds are on the board. Wrestler Yianni Diakomihalis is the next likely flag bearer at +800 odds! The oddsmakers give him an implied chance of 11.1% to be the Team USA flag bearer.
You can find up-to-date odds on the US Olympic flag bearer at BetUS by navigating to Sportsbook > Entertainment > Sports Futures > Olympics Specials.
Let’s check out the top favorites and most likely US flag bearers for Paris 2024 below:
Simone Biles (-1000)
Unsurprisingly, Biles is a commanding favorite to be the 2024 Olympic Games flag bearer for the US. After an Olympic career that includes seven medals and counting, Biles is prepared to retire following Paris 2024.
The most decorated US gymnast of all time will step away from gymnastics following a Hall of Fame career. She isn’t done adding to her Olympics medal count, either. Expect Biles to win at least one medal for Team USA, with the odds favoring more than one.
This wouldn’t be the first time Biles would be the flag bearer for the US. The star carried the flag at the Closing Ceremony of Rio 2016. It was the first time in 80 years a gymnast carried the US flag in the Closing Ceremony. The honor is bestowed on an athlete chosen by their fellow teammates at the Olympics.
Simone Biles is in a league of her own. 🐐 #XfinityChamps pic.twitter.com/kER3Pf9J64
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) June 3, 2024
Team captains from each sport select the flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony. Generally, history says this honor goes to an accomplished veteran nearing the end of their career. For instance, swimmer Michael Phelps was the flag bearer at Rio 2016, while basketball player Sue Bird received the call at Tokyo 2020.
Biles would directly fall in line with this trend. There are plenty of talented athletes to pick, but her illustrious career and impending retirement makes her the most sensible flag bearer.
Yianni Diakomihalis (+800)
While Biles has built up an overwhelming lead at sports betting sites, Yianni Diakomihailis is holding out for a shocking win. The 149-pound wrestler has an accomplished history on the mat.
However, Diakomihalis is still searching for his first Olympic medal. The New York native plans on competing in the Olympics until at least the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. The athlete intends to be a wrestling coach following his wrestling career, though he has entertained the idea of transitioning to MMA.
Diakomihalis doesn’t have an Olympic medal to his name yet, but he has quite the resume. As well as being a four-time NCAA champion, Diakomihalis has a collegiate record of 66-1. The Cornell student also owns the longest NCAA win streak.
The 5th 4x Champion!
📺 ESPN#NCAAWrestling x @BigRedWrestling pic.twitter.com/3uTXVA49tm
— NCAA Wrestling (@NCAAWrestling) March 19, 2023
Voting for Diakomihalis would be a vote on what’s to come in his future. He is expected to find plenty of success at Paris 2024 on the wrestling mat. In short, this reflects more of a chance at the Closing Ceremony flag bearer duties than the Opening Ceremony.
Katie Ledecky (+1000)
Two athletes are on my shortlist of top bets for being the Opening Ceremony flag bearer for Team USA. First, Biles has to be in the mix, and then secondly, Katie Ledecky fits the profile of an athlete who could be the flag bearer.
Ledecky is regarded as the most accomplished American women’s swimmer of all time. The 27-year-old has won seven gold medals and three silver medals in her Olympic career, dating back to her dominance at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Katie Ledecky's dominance at Rio 2016 was unmatched!
She secured gold in the 800m freestyle and smashed the world record she had previously set! 🥇 🏊♀️@WorldAquatics | @teamUSA | @@katieledecky pic.twitter.com/JUmA8ruLmj
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) March 27, 2024
Despite an impressive portfolio in the Olympics, Ledecky doesn’t have plans to retire after Paris 2024. In fact, she is already eying a potential bid at Los Angeles 2028. Ledecky was a potential flag bearer for the Closing Ceremony at Tokyo 2020.
However, javelin thrower and four-time Olympian Kara Winger received the nod in Japan. Unlike Biles, Ledecky has never been a flag bearer in any capacity at the Olympics. She will likely get her turn soon, but 2028 seems more realistic with Ledecky planning on going to the Olympics in Los Angeles.
Best US Opening Ceremony Flag Bearer Sleepers
There are a variety of athletes with juicy odds to be the Team USA flag bearer on the best betting apps and sites. Currently, BetUS has top value for betting on this unique prop bet.
Let’s delve into my best longshot Team USA Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony flag bearer picks:
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Hurdling star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is one of the most well-liked and accomplished athletes on the Team USA roster at Paris 2024. McLaughlin-Levrone is the defending 400m hurdles Olympic champion, in which she broke an Olympic Games record.
McLaughlin-Levrone broke four world records in just over a year, including the 400m world record at the World Athletic Championships in 2022. I wouldn’t be opposed to McLaughlin-Levrone being the Opening Ceremony flag bearer for Team USA!
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Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson was expected to be a force for Team USA at Tokyo 2020. However, she was left off the final roster after testing positive for THC. She tested positive at the U.S. Olympic Trials and was subsequently denied a position and suspended.
If her peers feel like she was unfairly suspended, they might be inclined to vote for Richardson simply to support her comeback. Despite the long odds to be the US Opening Ceremony flag bearer, she is worth a small sprinkle at +2000 odds.
Previous Flag Bearers and What They Tell Us?
| YEAR | FLAG BEARER | SPORT |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 (Tokyo) | Eddy Alvarez/Sue Bird | Baseball/Basketball |
| 2016 (Rio) | Michael Phelps | Swimming |
| 2012 (London) | Mariel Zagunis | Fencing |
| 2008 (Beijing) | Lopez Lomong | Long-distance running |
| 2004 (Athens) | Dawn Staley | Basketball |
| 2000 (Sydney) | Cliff Meidl | Canoeing |
| 1996 (Atlanta) | Bruce Baumgartner | Wrestling |
| 1992 (Barcelona) | Francie Larrieu Smith | Long-distance running |
| 1998 (Seoul) | Evelyn Ashford | Sprinting |
| 1984 (Los Angeles) | Ed Burke | Hammer throw |
| 1976 (Montreal) | Gary Hall | Swimming |
| 1972 (Munich) | Olga Fikotova | Discuss throw |
| 1968 (Mexico City) | Janice Romary | Fencing |
| 1964 (Tokyo) | Parry O’Brien | Shot put |
| 1960 (Rome) | Rafer Johnson | Decathlon |
The most striking finding from the last 15 US flag bearers in the Opening Ceremony is the diverse list of sports. Several athletes from different sports are well-represented as flag bearers.
Naturally, though, with Team USA having the most success in track and field and swimming events historically, most flag bearers come from the track or pool. Biles would buck the trend as a gymnast.
However, the most glaring trend is the number of well-known athletes who have already had success in their Olympic careers. Being chosen as the flag bearer comes with great respect from their peers, which often translates to a history of success and determination. Who is next to carry the US Olympic flag in Paris 2024?
Who Is Going to Carry the US Olympic Flag in Paris?
Everything considered, Biles is a heavy favorite for good reason. In her final curtain call in the Olympics, the superstar gymnast is the top contender to carry the US flag in the Opening Ceremony.
In addition to her immense success in the gym, Biles’ comeback after suffering a mental block is a testament to her determination. The 27-year-old has been a spokesperson for mental health awareness among athletes.
Following a two-year hiatus from gymnastics, Biles has been shining in domestic competitions in the US. With a strong campaign expected from Biles in Paris, she will also likely get the Olympic Games started as the flag bearer for Team USA.
Is there a chance she isn’t? Biles could decline Opening Ceremony flag bearer duties. She may opt to focus on gymnastics rather than being the center of attention in the Opening Ceremony. As a substitute, Ledecky would be a solid option for Team USA.
Still, Biles is the top pick for Team USA flag bearer, but at -1000 odds, don’t commit much of your bankroll to this wager. The price is fair since the gymnast is an overwhelming favorite and fits the job description!
Where to Bet on the US Olympic Flag Bearer in 2024?
Head to BetUS for all the latest US Opening Ceremony flag bearer odds! BetUS currently has an assortment of unique prices for the Olympics in Paris, including the next flag bearer at the Summer Games.
As the Olympics get closer in July, BetUS will release even more events to bet on for Paris 2024. All new customers can take advantage of a lucrative sign-up bonus for betting on the Olympic flag bearer, too.
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