TEAM USA fans didn’t like Jimmy Fallon harassing Katie Ledecky and Nick Mead during the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics.
The late-night TV host interviewed the U.S. gold medalist along with Mike Tirico as they raised the American flag at a Parade of Nations at the Stade de France on Sunday.
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During the conversation, 49-year-old Fallon asked Ledecky if she would rather swim after the ceremony than take a flight back to America.
But the joke didn’t go down well with fans of the US team, who didn’t like the fact that the NBC stars didn’t allow the Olympians to savor the moment.
“Why is Jimmy Fallon interviewing Katie Ledecky in the middle of this damn country parade?????” one asked.
“Mike Tirico and Jimmy Fallon should leave Katie Ledecky and Nick alone and let them enjoy this moment,” wrote another.
READ MORE ABOUT THE PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES
“I can only imagine Tirico’s eyes rolling when Fallon Ledecky asked if she was going to swim home,” said a third.
“Jimmy Fallon annoying Katie Ledecky during the opening ceremony made me angry. Why is he allowed to interfere?” added one.
The 27-year-old Ledecky couldn’t hear Fallon’s question because of the noise in the arena, the US swimmer said, which made the moment even more awkward.
The DC native won two gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Paris.
She won one of the gold medals in the 800-meter freestyle, which she has now won at the fourth Games in a row.
This makes Ledecky, along with Michael Phelps, the only swimmer to win the same Olympic discipline four times in a row.
In addition, she increased her total number of gold medals to nine, making her only the sixth Olympian to reach that number.
Phelps is the only athlete who has won more.
Ledecky received the news that she would be the flag bearer for the US team from her swimming colleague Robert Finke.
The Olympic legend was visibly moved when she answered Finke’s call.
It was an honour to represent our country here in Paris. I am so proud to be part of this team
Katie Ledecky
“You’re making me cry,” she said.
After putting on her jacket for the closing ceremony, Ledecky continued, “This is a great honor.
“I can’t wait for the closing ceremony.
“It was an honour to represent our country here in Paris.
“I am so proud to be part of this team.”
The USA team finished the Paris Olympics at the top of the medal table after winning 40 gold, 44 silver and 42 bronze medals.
“Global sports superpower”
By Sunni Upal, Deputy US Sports Editor
The USA depended on a late gold medal from its basketball stars on Sunday to finish first in Paris.
Although the American team was well ahead in the overall medal count, in most parts of the world the gold medal standings are what counts, and the USA once again demonstrated that they are the sporting superpower of our planet.
As far as gold medals go for the U.S. team, the Games started slowly.
The swimming team had to mount a late attack to fend off Australia’s challenge in the pool, but their dominance in athletics, with 14 gold medals at the Stade de France, was what carried this team to Paris.
Simone Biles also returned in style after her difficult time in Tokyo three years ago with three gold and one silver medals in gymnastics.
The USWNT also redeemed itself after its disaster at the Women’s World Cup last year: Mallory Swanson scored the winning goal in the gold medal game after missing the 2023 tournament due to injury.
But the USA basketball teams had the last word: LeBron James and Co. won gold medals in the men’s competition for the fifth time in a row, and Diana Taurasi and her team won their eighth in a row.
