In a moment of confusion at the Paris Olympics, basketball star LeBron James mistakenly believed the crowd’s enthusiastic cheers were meant for him during Team USA’s quarterfinal clash against Brazil. The roar of applause and standing ovation were actually directed at Leon Marchand, a 22-year-old French swimmer who had recently won multiple medals at the Games.
Marchand, who earned four golds and one silver in swimming, was in the audience, and his presence sparked a warm reception from the crowd, as reported by the New York Post. James, reacting to the cheers, waved and made a crown gesture, only to later realize that the applause was not for him but for Marchand.
Despite the mix-up, James had a notable performance, contributing 12 points, nine assists, and three rebounds in Team USA’s 122-87 victory over Brazil. This win secured their place in the semifinals against Serbia. James did face a setback when he took an elbow to the eye, requiring stitches, but his contribution remained significant in the game.
This incident highlights the unpredictability of live sports events and the occasional humorous misunderstandings that can occur even for high-profile athletes like James.
