5 Paris Olympics 2024-bound athletes who have thrown first pitch in MLB ft. Sunisa Lee, Simone Biles & more
The Olympics is the pinnacle event for any sportsperson and every sports enthusiast. This once-in-four-year competition not only gives the participants world recognition but also makes them national stars for representing their respective countries on a global scale.
The 2024 Summer Olympics is currently being hosted by Paris, where athletes across the globe have participated with one aim - win gold. Among them are several sports personalities, who have also been invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch in an MLB game.
Let’s look at five 2024 Paris Olympics athletes who have had the special honor of throwing the first pitch.
Five 2024 Paris Olympics athletes who have thrown the ceremonial first pitch in MLB
1. Sunisa Lee
Sunisa Lee, a gymnast from Auburn University, has already won a gold and silver medal in his debut appearance in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In 2022, after impressing the world with her talent in Tokyo, she performed a filliping throw at Target Field to make the ceremonial first pitch event more special.
Lee is also part of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics and has qualified for the all-around finals in gymnastics, she shared on Instagram.
2. Simone Biles
Perhaps one of the best ceremonial first pitches was thrown by Simone Biles, a seven-time (with five golds) Olympic medalist. Following her successful 2016 Rio Olympic campaign, Biles got the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch for the Houston Astros at Minute Maiden Park before a World Series game in 2019.
As Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick waited to catch Biles' pitch, she first did a stunning twisting backflip, earning the crowd’s loud cheers.
Biles is also participating in this year’s Olympics and has joined Lee in the women's all-around final.
3. LeBron James
Arguably one of the best, if not the greatest NBA player of all time, LeBron James is a three-time Olympic participant (2008, 2012 and 2024).
James did the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch when he was first drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. The Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) invited the rookie James to throw the first pitch, which was received by the former Guardians great CC Sabathia.
This year he was bestowed the honor of being the US flag bearer in Paris.
4. Victor Wembanyama
The 7-foot-4 San Antonio Spurs rookie, Victor Wembanyama aka Wemby, is projected to have a great career. His 2023 Rookie of the Year award might be the beginning of the stacked resume that Wemby intends to build.
Last year on June 21, even before the NBA draft, Wemby got the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch in pinstripes at Yankee Stadium before the game between the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners.
This year he is representing his home country France, leading the French men’s basketball team in the Paris Olympics.
5. Mallory Swanson
Mallory Swanson, the star striker of the Chicago Red Stars, is the highest-paid NWSL player. She is also the wife of Chicago Cubs All-Star shortstop Dansby Swanson. Mallory, who is part of the US women's national soccer team, is participating in her second Olympics this year after previously appearing in the 2016 Rio event.
The Swanson pair are well-loved by the City of Chicago. Last September, Mallory threw the ceremonial first pitch at Wrigley Field and the recipient was her husband. The couple shared a sweet time and a great laugh after she threw a pitch that went off-course, almost over the left batter's box.
She has scored three goals so far in the 2024 tournament, aiming to bring the USWNT their first Gold since 2012.