VIDEO: Team USA Celebrates Athlete’s Birthday Right Before Tokyo Olympics 2020 Opening Ceremony

The Tokyo Olympics 2020 has finally begun with the opening ceremony held on July 23. Athletes from all around the world took part in the Olympic parade. The USA’s shooting contingent was also part of the parade of nations. While the opening day was a celebration in itself, team USA had a small birthday celebration before they made their way out into the stadium.

American skeet shooter, Austen Smith, turned 20 on the same day as the opening ceremony. Smith is also the youngest member of the team at the mega-quadrennial games.

Team USA sings happy birthday to Austen Smith before the opening ceremony

Before the team entered the Olympic stadium, the US contingent of over 100 members was waiting backstage. At that time, one of the US shooters shouted to the entire contingent, “We have a birthday girl, her name is Austen.”

After hearing this, the excited US squad turned around and wished the young shooter. Making her moment even special, the contingent even sang the birthday song for Smith. Her coach and fellow teammate, Vincent Hancock, recorded the memorable moment.

Austen Smith is competing in her maiden Olympic Games in the skeet women’s event. Shotgun shooting has always been the USA’s strongest feat in the sport.

Team USA pranked Kevin Durant singing happy birthday for him

Waiting for their turn to enter the Olympic parade, USA’s basketball team pranked their star player. The entire USA contingent sang the happy birthday song for Kevin Durant.

Team USA sang happy birthday to KD.

His birthday is in September

(via @JaValeMcGee) pic.twitter.com/q6NvRQUBa3

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 23, 2021

The NBA star, who was born on 29th September, looked confused as it was not even his birthday. Nevertheless, even if it was not his birthday, the team had fun singing together.

Tokyo Olympics 2020 Opening Ceremony 

The most awaited games have finally begun after the Olympic opening ceremony. It was a joyful and emotional moment for athletes who had been waiting to compete for over a year.

Due to the pandemic, spectators were not allowed to attend the opening ceremony of the mega-event. The games officially begun as tennis star Naomi Osaka lit up the Olympic torch.

Also read: How the USA Athletes are Using Sleep as a Training Technique for Tokyo Olympics 2020

USA’s flag bearers were women’s basketball athlete Sue Bird and baseball player Eddy Alvarez. A lot of teams had to miss out on the opening ceremony because of matches in a few days and covid restrictions.

The US First lady Jill Biden was present to support team USA in Tokyo. The USA has started its quest for medals on day one of the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

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