The United States' flag bearers for the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics have been chosen and Chicago has some representation in the picks.
It was announced on Wednesday morning's episode of 'TODAY' that baseball player Eddy Alvarez and women's basketball star Sue Bird would lead the U.S. out of the tunnel for the Opening Ceremony.
Alvarez, 31, got his start in professional baseball when the Chicago White Sox signed him to a minor league contract after the 2014 Major League Draft. He went on to become an infielder for the Miami Marlins organization.
But before his baseball career took shape, Alvarez first rose to fame at the Sochi Olympics when he won a silver medal in short track speed skating. He is the first for Winter Olympic athlete without Olympic baseball experience to play a game in the MLB.
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This will be the first time in Olympic history that participating countries will each include both a male and female athlete carrying the flag for the Opening Ceremony.
View social media post: https://twitter.com/TODAYshow/status/1417806949660381185
Bird is one of the most decorated women's basketball players in history. The 40-year-old is a four-time WNBA champion and has helped guide Team USA to four Olympic gold medals in women's basketball, on top of four additional gold medals at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.
Chicago Baseball
The Opening Ceremony for the Tokyo Olympics will begin at 7 a.m. ET on Friday, July 23.
