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By Sergio Silva
Aug 11, 2024, 12:48 PM EDT
LeBron James closed his participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with the feeling of having accomplished his duty after winning the gold medal in men’s basketball on Saturday following a great victory over France (98-87) that filled the NBA’s biggest star with pride.
The 39-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star ended up being recognized as the Most Valuable Player of Olympic basketball and was, along with Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, the guide of the Team USA to win her fifth consecutive gold medal and the 17th in the history of the Olympic Games.
“Winning the Olympic title is wonderful, it’s an incredible thing, and of course a great honor. If I have been able to help the United States win the gold medal, that is something great.”he commented LeBron James after the North American celebration at the Bercy Arena following their victory over the hosts.
![LeBron James celebrates during the awards ceremony after winning the men's basketball gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.](https://i0.wp.com/laopinion.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/545818171fb997db9bbf0cf2bc3f242b61f84ca1.jpg?w=810&ssl=1)
“I am living a happy moment, I am very happy, and I am living it in a special moment, from humility, since I think that I can still continue playing basketball, and play it at a high level”added the NBA star after winning his third Olympic gold medal.
“King James” also spoke about the evolution he has seen within the U.S. team in each of the editions he has had the opportunity to participate in and how they managed to put together this “Dream Team” in order to keep American basketball at the top of the Olympic podium.
“In Beijing 2008 we achieved redemption after finishing third in Athens 2004, in London 2012 we were able to win the title again. Now we put the team together quickly, in less than a month, knowing that we had to organize a good team because we didn’t like the way we played last summer.”he noted.
![A day after winning gold in men's basketball at Paris 2024, LeBron James was rooting for the US team in the women's basketball final.](https://i0.wp.com/laopinion.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/ccbeb6cb870701793d41dd512e74a1d8fa29e812.jpg?w=810&ssl=1)
The surprise defeat suffered by Team USA in the semifinals of the 2023 Basketball World Cup at the hands of Germany was the factor that awakened LeBron James’ desire to come out of retirement from the national team and lead it back to the top.
Speaking about the decisive moment, which was marked by Stephen Curry’s great performance in the final minutes with a series of three-point shots that sealed the French’s attempt at a comeback, LeBron acknowledged that it was a very emotional match.
“We couldn’t have imagined the Olympic final match any other way. It was special to be able to face the host team in a great setting and with a great atmosphere.”said the player who has practically ruled out his presence at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
“No, I don’t see myself playing in Los Angeles, but I don’t see myself playing in Paris either. In four years I can’t see myself playing.”closed the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Continue reading:
– Video: Stephen Curry’s incredible triple that put France to sleep in the Paris 2024 men’s basketball final
– Mexican taekwondo fighter Carlos Sansores shows off his wrestling mask before his first fight at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
– Mexican diver Randal Willars had to settle for fifth place after coming close to silver in the 10-meter platform at Paris 2024