Giannis Antetokounmpo and Antigoni Drisbioti proudly held the Greek flag on the boat that transported Greece’s delegation down the Seine River on the evening of Friday, July 26, during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.

A characteristic moment was when the basketball player spotted his mother in the crowd, looking across from him. Without hiding his excitement, he said, “My mother, my mother, yes,” pointing to Veronica Antetokounmpo.

The Greek star of the Bucks posted photos on Instagram of the grand moment in Paris, where he is seen waving the Greek flag, writing: “The greatest honor!”

Tonight, the National Basketball Team faces Canada for Group A (10:00 PM, ERT1).

For Antetokounmpo, this is his first participation in the Olympic Games, and the emotions are indescribable. As he stated before departing for Paris: “It is a huge honor for me as an athlete to be part of something so big and to be around the best athletes in the world. It’s a huge moment. I know my family is very proud of me and everything I have accomplished. Being the first black flag bearer for Greece is a huge honor. I appreciate being chosen. It means a lot for all the hard work I have put in throughout my career, the way I conduct myself on and off the court.”

Of course, his debut in the event couldn’t go without mention: “I always wanted to be part of the Olympic Games, to be in the Olympic Village, and to be next to the best athletes. It was a dream of mine, and playing with my team and succeeding was a huge moment for us as athletes and for our country.”

In contrast to Antetokounmpo, Drisbioti has experiences from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021, but every participation in the Olympic Games is different: “I am so excited for the opening ceremony and the event. It’s my third time participating in the Olympic Games,” she said, adding in response to how she feels being a flag bearer: “I am so happy because this moment is the best for all athletes.”