John Shuster – Team USA Olympic Curling Legend
Discover Team USA’s John Shuster, a five-time Olympic curler and gold medalist who led the U.S. to its first Olympic curling title at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics.
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The Olympic and Paralympic Opening Ceremonies are among the most iconic traditions in international sport. During the Parade of Nations, each country is led into the stadium by a flag bearer, and an athlete is selected to carry their nation’s flag during the Olympic or Paralympic Opening or Closing Ceremony.
Throughout Olympic and Paralympic history, flag bearers have symbolized national pride, leadership, and the spirit of competition on the world stage. For Team USA, flag bearers are often selected based on their athletic achievements, contributions to sport, perseverance, and leadership within the Olympic or Paralympic community.
From Olympic legends to Paralympic pioneers, Team USA flag bearers continue to represent leadership, perseverance, and national pride on the world stage. Their stories reflect the enduring spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games while inspiring future generations of athletes and fans.
After an impressive performance at the 1912 Olympic Games, Ralph Craig returned to the Olympic stage decades later at the 1948 London Games as an alternate on the sailing team. Craig was selected to serve as Team USA’s flag bearer during the Opening Ceremony, proudly leading the American delegation into the stadium.
Rafer Johnson earned international recognition after winning gold in the decathlon at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. One of the most influential athletes in Team USA history, Johnson later became the first Black athlete selected to carry the American flag for Team USA at the Opening Ceremony of the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games. Johnson is also a member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame.
Five-time Olympian Francie Larrieu Smith became one of the most accomplished distance runners in Team USA history. She was the first American woman to complete the marathon in under two-and-a-half hours and won 22 national titles throughout her career. Smith was selected as Team USA’s flag bearer for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
Bruce Baumgartner became one of the most decorated wrestlers in Olympic history after winning gold medals at the Los Angeles 1984 and Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, along with a silver medal at Seoul 1988. During the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, Baumgartner was selected as Team USA’s flag bearer and became one of only four Americans at the time to win medals at four Olympic Games.
Table tennis athlete Mike Dempsey served as Team USA’s flag bearer during the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, marking his seventh Paralympic appearance. Throughout his Paralympic career, Dempsey earned three gold medals, four silver medals, and two bronze medals while representing Team USA across multiple Paralympic Games.
Basketball legend Dawn Staley carried the American flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. A leader on and off the court, Staley helped Team USA win Olympic gold medals in women’s basketball at the Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, and Athens 2004 Olympic Games. She later became one of the most respected coaches in women’s basketball history.
Distance runner Lopez Lomong was selected to carry the American flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. One of the Lost Boys of Sudan, Lomong immigrated to the United States and later competed for Team USA at both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games.
Five-time Paralympian Scott Danberg was selected as Team USA’s flag bearer during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Danberg competed in track and field, swimming, and powerlifting throughout his career and won a silver medal in the javelin at the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games.
U.S. Navy Lieutenant Brad Snyder became one of Team USA’s most celebrated Paralympians after losing his eyesight while serving in Afghanistan. At the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Snyder won two gold medals and one silver medal in swimming. His fellow teammates selected him to carry the American flag during the Closing Ceremony.
Recognized as the most decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps added another milestone to his historic career by serving as Team USA’s flag bearer during the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Competing in his fifth Olympic Games, Phelps won five gold medals and one silver medal in Rio.
Dual-sport athlete Allison Jones represented Team USA as the flag bearer during the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Competing in both cycling and alpine skiing, Jones earned eight Paralympic medals throughout her career and became one of the few athletes to compete in both Summer and Winter Paralympic Games.
From legendary Olympians to groundbreaking Paralympians, Team USA flag bearers have included Hall of Fame athletes, Olympic and Paralympic champions, and trailblazers who helped shape the history of the Olympic and Paralympic movements.
Learn more about notable Team USA athletes who served as flag bearers throughout Summer Games history.
The first Summer Olympic flag bearer for Team USA was track and field athlete Ralph Rose at the London 1908 Summer Olympics.
Flag bearers are important during the Olympic Opening Ceremony because they represent their nation’s identity, values, and athletic achievement on the global stage. Leading their country into the stadium during the Parade of Nations is considered one of the highest honors at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Team USA Summer Olympic flag bearers are chosen through an athlete-driven voting process managed by the Team USA Athletes’ Commission. Each sport’s National Governing Body (NGB) can nominate one athlete from the sport. The final nominees are put to a direct ballot, when the U.S. Olympic Team members vote for their peers.
Track and Field has produced the most Team USA Summer Olympic flag bearers, thus far accounting for more than half of all Summer ceremony flag bearers in U.S. history.
There are two flag bearers (one male and one female) at the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games to promote gender parity and encourage equal representation for men and women at the Games. The change for each country to have two flag bearers at the Summer Games was made at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games.
Discover Team USA’s John Shuster, a five-time Olympic curler and gold medalist who led the U.S. to its first Olympic curling title at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics.
Discover trailblazing female athletes from Team USA who shaped the Olympic & Paralympic Games through groundbreaking performances and historic firsts.
Discover these Olympic & Paralympic Trailblazers from Team USA who have shaped not only sports but also the history of the Olympic & Paralympic Games.