Katie Ledecky, Nick Mead Carry U.S. Flag into 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony

And just like that, the 2024 Paris Olympics are coming to a close.

Olympians Katie Ledecky and Nick Mead were the tail end of the processional as they carried the U.S. flag into Stade de France arena in Paris on Sunday, Aug. 11.

The two Paris gold medalists — Ledecky in swimming and Mead in rowing — followed behind all 204 other countries with the U.S. flag, going last as the hosts of the next Summer Olympics, the 2028 L.A. Games.

As they walked, they spoke with NBC’s Closing Ceremony commentators, Jimmy Fallon and Mike Tirico.

“There’s a lot of countries in front of us, we’re the last ones to walk in so it’s pretty special since we’re headed to L.A. next,” Ledecky, 27, said.

“It’s incredible. I’m so honored to be standing next to Katie to represent the U.S. and the sport of rowing as the first rowing flagbearer,” Mead, 29, added.

Ledecky also told NBC that she would “love” to compete at the 2028 Games.

After all the countries’ flag bearers walked in, the Olympians from each country, many wearing their newly-won medals, filled the edges of the stadium and began merging together.

Team USA celebrated 126 medals at the 2024 Games during the closing ceremony — 40 gold, 44 silver and 42 bronze.

Ledecky and Mead were announced as the selections to represent Team USA in the closing ceremony on Aug. 8.

“I am incredibly honored to represent Team USA as a flag bearer as we close our time in Paris together,” Ledecky said after the announcement in a statement to Olympics.com. “I am so proud of this team’s accomplishments in Paris and excited to celebrate with my teammates on Sunday.”

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Ledecky became the most decorated American female athlete in Olympic history during the Paris Games, bringing home four medals in 2024 — two gold, one silver and one bronze, bringing her total to 14.

Her victory in the 800-meter freestyle made her just the second swimmer to win four straight gold medals in the same event. The only other athlete to do so is Michael Phelps.

Mead — the first rower to ever carry the flag for Team USA — will leave the 2024 Games with a gold medal in men’s four rowing. His win marks the first in the event for Team USA since 1960.

After he was selected as a flag bearer, Mead told Olympics.com, “It is an incredible honor to be selected as the flag bearer and to represent the United States and the sport of rowing, which has never had an American flag bearer in the history of the Olympics.”

The gold medalist added that sharing the privilege with Ledecky “makes it all the more special.”

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