Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: Harry How / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP 19:41 p.m., June 05, 2023

After Brad Pitt, Rafael Nadal and Steve McQueen, LeBron James will give the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans which will be contested this Saturday. The legendary race will celebrate its centenary and will be followed by tens of thousands of people throughout France.

Four-time NBA champion LeBron James will start the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Saturday to mark the centenary of the famous auto race, the organizer of the event announced Monday. In a statement, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) is delighted to welcome "one of the greatest sportsmen in history", "legendary American basketball player and philanthropist".

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"An honor for me"

Since 1949, the ACO has entrusted each year to a personality the task of lowering the tricolor flag at the start. LeBron James succeeds personalities such as Brad Pitt (2016), Rafael Nadal (2018), Alain Delon (1996), Georges Pompidou (1972) and Steve McQueen (1971).

"It is an honour for me to participate in this historic moment in motorsport and to contribute to the centenary celebration of one of the greatest sporting events in the world. I can't wait to start this iconic race," said the 38-year-old basketball player, who is also a two-time Olympic champion with the United States. The 24 Hours of Le Mans celebrates its first century of existence this year. Sixty-two crews will be at the start of the race, the fourth round of the World Endurance Championship.