After weeks of fierce competition and unforgettable moments, international athletes are preparing to bid a heartfelt “au revoir” to the 2024 Paris Games. The grand opening ceremony along the Seine River mesmerized the world, and now the closing ceremony, set for August 11th at 2 p.m. ET, will take place in the iconic Stade de France, with its capacity of 80,000, promising a more traditional yet equally poignant farewell.

As the Games draw to a close, all eyes will be on the announcement of the flag bearers, a moment of great pride and honor. Among them is Nick Mead, whose remarkable journey has captured hearts across the nation. Nick made history by leading the United States men’s rowing team to a gold medal in the men’s four-boat final, ending a 64-year drought for Team USA in this event.

But the accolades don’t stop there. Team USA announced via X that Nick Mead will be one of the U.S. flag bearers, standing proudly alongside swimming legend Katie Ledecky. This momentous honor makes Nick the first-ever rower to carry the flag for the United States at the closing ceremony. At 29, this achievement is a testament not only to Nick’s incredible dedication and hard work but also to the unwavering support of his parents, who have stood by him through every triumph and setback.

So, who are the parents behind this extraordinary athlete? As Nick prepares to take on this prestigious role, the spotlight also shines on the family that has been his rock. Their unwavering support and belief in Nick’s dreams have been a driving force behind his success, making this moment a celebration of their shared journey

Meet Mead’s parents and siblings

Hailing from Strafford, Pennsylvania, located about 45 minutes north of Philadelphia in Chester County, Nick Mead has a strong family connection to rowing. His father, Philip, rowed for Princeton in the Class of 1981, while both his mother, Carolyn Mead and brother Loren also competed for Penn. Mead learned of his significant honor of being closing flag bearer from teammate Justin Best during a team breakfast at a Parisian restaurant on Thursday.

The 2024 Olympic Games have been notable for their historic achievements. “I was just looking up a bunch of stats and it has actually been a pretty historic Games like so far for us obviously,” Best said, highlighting the men’s four’s gold medal win for the first time in 64 years. Best’s excitement peaked when he revealed that Mead would be one of the flag bearers alongside Ledecky at the closing ceremonies—an honor never before given to a rower.

Overwhelmed, Mead responded, “That’s sick. … I got chills. … I got to get a haircut.” A Princeton graduate who rowed on the Tigers’ top varsity eight boats for three seasons, Mead is now gearing up for this prestigious role at the 2024 Paris Olympics. But reaching this point was not without its fair share of struggles.

The early life of Paris Olympics gold medalist Nick Mead

Nick Mead’s journey to Olympic gold has been both demanding and relentless, mirroring his dedication to rowing and his passionate support for the Philadelphia Sixers—though, unlike his athletic achievements, the Sixers’ success has been elusive. Since graduating from Princeton in 2017, Mead has navigated a challenging path, juggling full-time jobs with intense training.

He would wake up at the crack of dawn for an early workout, endure a 9-to-5 job, and then head back for a second rowing session in the evening. Mead, who often listens to “The Ricky” during training, humorously considers his gold medal a “transitive victory for the show.”

While Mead’s competitors, like those from Great Britain, benefit from full-time training and stipends, he managed his rowing career amid constant job changes and relocations. After moving to San Francisco in 2017 to train with Team USA, he also worked as a tax accounting intern at a tech startup. Despite being an Olympic champion, his LinkedIn profile highlights his role as a senior transportation planner at Peloton Interactive before mentioning his athletic achievements. His recent gold medal performance was a powerful affirmation of his dedication.

As Mead puts it, “We must divorce the process from the results.” This philosophy, which he often shares with his team, shows his belief in the importance of trusting the process, regardless of immediate outcomes.