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Joel Embiid is an Olympic gold medalist and France is not happy about it.
Embiid and Team USA took down France 98-87 to earn a fifth consecutive gold medal. This was Embiid’s first run with the U.S, but his French citizenship gave him the option to play for the host country.
Instead, he chose to play for Team USA and the home crowd showed its disapproval during the ceremony.
NBC Sports Philadelphia @NBCSPhilly
Joel Embiid receives his first-ever Olympic gold medal for Team USA 🇺🇸 🥇 pic.twitter.com/Zwz3wvkjFa
Embiid gestured to the crowd as the boos occurred and the U.S. roster joined him in the celebration.
Embiid was born in Cameroon and moved to the United States at 16. He became a French citizen in 2022 and there was speculation he would suit up for the host nation.
BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 @BASKETBALLonX
Joel Embiid after winning the 2024 Olympic Gold Medal:
“Everything is golden! Mission accomplished 🥇”
[via. IG// @JoelEmbiid] pic.twitter.com/6rKtfeCUbR
Instead, he chose to play for the U.S. and join a team that had won four consecutive gold medals and 16 of 19 in the event’s history. Whether or not his presence flipped the result, the French team surely would have been better off with him on the roster.
While he won his first gold with the U.S, Embiid could sport another country’s colors in 2028.
He expressed interest in representing Cameroon at the Los Angeles Olympics, although that would process would require securing waivers and for Cameroon to qualify for the tournament.
Source link : https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10131500-video-joel-embiid-usa-troll-booing-french-fans-during-olympic-gold-medal-ceremony
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Publish date : 2024-08-10 15:26:00
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