Olympia in Paris - Basketballer Schroeder and Judoka Wagner carry the flag
Basketball World Champion Dennis Schröder and two-time Judo World Champion Anna-Maria Wagner carry the German flag at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris. The duo was chosen by fans and the German Olympic team and will take on the role at the ceremony on Friday (19.30 pm). This was confirmed by the German Olympic Sports Federation (DOSB). Initially, the "FAZ" reported on Schröder's election.
In the men's category, Schröder, the 30-year-old NBA professional, secured his place with a total of 103.54 points, far ahead of tennis player Alexander Zverev (57.57) and sports shooter Christian Reitz (38.89). In the women's category, footballer Alexandra Popp (74.01) and equestrian Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (45.98) finished behind Wagner (80.01). Over 500,000 valid votes were cast in the public vote, compared to around 189,000 votes in Tokyo three years ago.
German Team on Boat Seven
The ceremony will take place for the first time not in a stadium, but on boats on the Seine. The German team will be on Ship Number Seven and will be accompanied by tens of thousands of fans on the shore as they pass by the major landmarks of the capital.
For Schröder, the flag-bearer role at the Olympics had great significance for months. A few weeks after the unexpected World Championship title in Manila 2023, the point guard of the Brooklyn Nets openly and honestly declared: "I have to carry the flag! When not now, then when?" The NBA pro spoke earlier about "a statement" if a Black man with a mother from Gambia were to receive this honor.
Undisputed Leader in the National Team
Schröder has been the undisputed leader in the German National Team since the tenure of National Coach Gordon Herbert. The playmaker led Germany to bronze at the Home EM and finally to the golden triumph in Manila. At the World Championship, Schröder was also named the most valuable player of the tournament.
In the National Team, Schröder achieved even greater successes than the national icon Dirk Nowitzki, but titles and awards remained elusive in the NBA. The basketball professional changed teams frequently. Since 2020, he has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Celtics, the Houston Rockets, the Toronto Raptors, and now the Nets. He became a driving force at none of these stations.
In the past few days, Schröder actively campaigned for votes on his social media channels for his first Olympic start. Over four million people follow him on Instagram alone, who would also be happy to see another medal in Paris. The World Champion team starts against outsider Japan in the Olympic tournament with the preliminary round in Lille on Saturday. The goal of the squad is again a medal, with the USA being the clear gold favorites.
For Wagner, "a very big thing"
For flag-bearer colleague Wagner, it is the second Olympic participation. In 2021 in Tokyo, the 28-year-old from Ravensburg won bronze in the individual and team events. In Paris, the two-time World Champion in the 78 kg weight class is also among the title contenders.
"For me, it would be a huge honor to carry the flag and lead Team D," Wagner said before the decision to "Münchner Merkur/tz". "That's really a big thing and would make me extremely happy."
For a long time, it was uncertain if Wagner actually participated in Paris. The athlete, who trains in Cologne, has been at the absolute world top for years and is currently the second-ranked woman in the world. However, Alina Bohm is also a very strong domestic competitor for her. Since only one German athlete is allowed to compete in each weight class at the Olympics, Wagner secured her ticket with her second World Championship title in Abu Dhabi in May.
Wagner received much respect for openly speaking about mental problems after the Olympics in Tokyo. "That year, I had essentially achieved everything that could be achieved with the World Championship title. After that, the question was: Okay, and now? How does it go on from here? I had lost the joy of Judo, could no longer motivate myself for the sport", she reported later. Piece by piece, Wagner fought her way back and wants to crown this now in Paris with another Olympic medal.
The German Olympic Sports Association (DOSB) confirmed Dennis Schröder's election as the flag-bearer for the opening ceremony in Paris, with Schröder securing his position with a substantial lead over Alexander Zverev and Christian Reitz in the public vote. In the women's category, Alexandra Popp and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl finished behind Anna-Maria Wagner, who will represent Germany at the opening ceremony on a boat along with Schröder.
Schröder's flag-bearer role held great significance for him, having declared, "I have to carry the flag!" shortly after winning the Basketball World Championship in Manila. Schröder, an NBA professional, is the undisputed leader in the German national team, leading Germany to bronze at the Home EM and eventually to the golden triumph in Manila.
For Wagner, carrying the flag and leading the team would be a significant honor, saying it would make her "extremely happy." Wagner secured her place in the Paris Olympics following her second World Championship title in Abu Dhabi, having faced strong competition from Alina Bohm for the single German berth in her weight class.
After finishing fifth in the Rio Olympics, Wagner spoke openly about her mental struggles following her success, describing how she had lost her love for Judo and struggled to find motivation. She fought her way back, vowing to crown her comeback with another Olympic medal in Paris.
The German team, including Dennis Schröder and Anna-Maria Wagner, will embark on their boats in Paris for the first time, with tens of thousands of fans lining the shore to watch them pass by the city's major landmarks. Schröder's campaign for votes on his social media channels has garnered the support of his four million Instagram followers, who are also eager to see Germany bring home another medal.
Germany's basketball team, led by Dennis Schröder, will face Japan in the preliminary round in Lille on Saturday as they aim for their third consecutive Olympic medal. The USA is considered the clear gold favorites in the tournament. Schröder, a 30-year-old NBA professional, has switched teams frequently but has yet to achieve comparable success in the NBA as he has in the national team.
In the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, over 500,000 valid votes were cast in the public vote, marking a significant increase from the 189,000 votes in the previous edition. Germany is no stranger to the Olympics, having a rich history in the sports event, with Paris representing its 28th Olympics participation.
As Germany's flag-bearer, Dennis Schröder will carry the Poppy, a symbol of the Olympic Games, leading the team in Paris. Schröder's journey to the Olympics and his Black heritage have made his election as flag-bearer significant, representing a statement that a Black man with a Gambian mother can hold such a prestigious role.
Wagner's Olympic journey continues in Paris, where she will aim to add to her two World Championship titles, having faced mental struggles after her success in Tokyo. Her ability to recover and fight back will serve as an inspiration for many, showcasing the strength and resilience required to succeed in sports and overcome adversity.
