Orders to evacuate an Olympic venue in Paris were not extended to American basketball legend LeBron James, who was allowed to stay and watch the beach volleyball beneath the Eiffel Tower.
Play was suspended at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles on Thursday evening and ticket holders told to leave as a storm began battering the French capital.
The weather began to turn during the second set of America’s clash with China, with heavy rain and lightning forcing the authorities to suspend play and send fans home.
‘Ladies and gentleman, this is an important safety announcement, due to the weather you must evacuate the venue,’ a message read over the tannoy system.
‘Please remain calm as you make your way to the exit and follow instructions from security. Thank you for your understanding.’
Play was suspended for over an hour as Olympic organisers waited for the storm to pass and got the court back into suitable condition.
A weather warning also caused the hockey Olympic venue to be evacuated on Wednesday, though fans did not react too well to the organisers’ decision.
The remainder of the Pool B beach volleyball clash was played behind closed doors, with only a few stewards and an all-time great basketball player inside the open-air arena for the rest of the match.
James and his family was seen cheering on Team USA when the stadium was full and they threw on cagoules to cope with the heavy and persistent rain.
The 39-year-old, in Paris as part of the USA’s star-studded basketball team, appeared to be enjoying a glass of wine as he watched the American pair of Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss seal a 2-1 victory over China.
James and his wife Savannah applauded and cheered as Team USA won match point, with the basketball legend letting out a shriek and doing a dance to show his support.
Team USA’s win ensures they remain unbeaten at Paris 2024 and qualify for the knockout stages of the beach volleyball competition as Pool B winners.
This is not the first time James has been spotted cheering on his fellow American Olympians in Paris, with the Los Angeles Lakers superstar attending a 3×3 basketball game earlier this week.
Packed with NBA talent, USA are favourites to win a fifth straight basketball gold in the French capital and won their first two group games comfortably.
James is bidding to become a three-time Olympic champion after winning gold at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
‘At the end of the day, I just want to, you know, win,’ he said this week. ‘I mean, I’m here to win and win the gold, and that’s my only mindset.’
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