US Olympic legend stunningly sounds off on Coco Gauff being selected

Coco Gauff being an Olympic flag-bearer for the United States national team drew lots of positive reactions but one big name wasn’t so happy about it as former four-time US gold medalist Michael Johnson said he was “disappointed” with that selection. 

After NBA superstar and two-time gold medalist LeBron James was selected to bear the Olympic flag, the US Olympic team decided that world No. 2 Gauff should join him. On paper, selecting Gauff made sense since she is currently the highest-ranked American female tennis player and she also won the US Open last year. 

But Johnson – an American sprint legend – thought that gymnast superstar Simone Biles should have been picked to join James as the flag-bearer. Entering this year’s Olympics, 27-year-old Biles has four gold medals, two bronze, and one silver medal. 

“I’m a little disappointed with USA team’s choice. I was hoping for a Simone Biles or an Olympic athlete from a traditional Olympic sport. I think they went for popularity. Unless Simone said she didn’t want to [because she has to get ready for her competition]. That’s a possibility,” Johnson said on the BBC. 

How Gauff reacted to being a flag-bearer for the US Olympic team?

When hearing about the news, 20-year-old Gauff was positively shocked and cried.

“I thought I was gonna surprise them on the phone, and [my mom] was like, ‘Yeah, I already knew.’ So I was like, ‘Yeah, that’s great.’ But I’m glad that they’ll be able to come and be here. I know they’re excited,” Gauff revealed in a pre-Olympic press conference. 

“I was very emotional when I was talking to my mom about it. I wanted to cry when I found out, but my whole team was there, so I went in the corner and did it. I truly am shocked, and I don’t take it for granted, and I am going to try and take it all in, and I know this will be a memory I will remember for the rest of my life.”

For Gauff, doing well at the…