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MEDIA BRIEFING: COCO GAUFF DURING A MEDIA PARLEY SAID OF PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS…”I can’t wait to start competing; I want to do this for my country and for all my fans.”
![Tennis star Coco Gauff on Thursday said the Olympics were an opportunity for Americans to "come together" during a turbulent presidential race back home, as she prepares to carry the US flag at the opening ceremony in Paris.](https://newsrish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/images-2024-07-25T020011.995.jpeg)
Kamala Harris is poised to battle Donald Trump, who survived an assassination attempt earlier this month, for the presidency in November after incumbent Joe Biden dropped out of the campaign.
With increasing division in US politics, Gauff believes the Olympics could help people put the “political turmoil” to the back of their minds.
“At least this year, there’s obviously been a lot of political turmoil on both sides,” she told reporters after being named as flagbearer for Friday’s ceremony along the river Seine.
So I think for me, when I get this opportunity, I think of it as something completely separate…
“I think sport just brings joy. For Americans specifically, there’s no team in a way where it’s like NFL where somebody wins and somebody loses… All Americans are cheering for Team USA.
“I think this is a good opportunity for our country to come together and stand behind something.”
Gauff has made a habit of speaking out on social and political issues in the United States but accepts that the American Olympic team brings together athletes with a wide range of views.
“Among the athletes, we all come from different backgrounds,” she added.
“We all have different walks of life. We believe different things. But we’re all proud to be here, being an Olympian representing the USA.”