Le Mans 24 Hours centenary sees LeBron James as its official starter

LeBron James might have fallen just short of reaching this year's NBA Finals, but the King is set to make an appearance at another hotly anticipated sporting event.

This weekend will see two of the biggest names in sports collide as NBA superstar LeBron James goes to France as the official starter at the 100th anniversary of the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest active endurance racing event and reserves its top spot for the man and machine that can cover the greatest distance in 24 hours. During the race, teams encounter extreme heat and rain on a track with 38 turns, and the Circuit de la Sarthe is considered one of the finest courses in the world.

LeBron James will start Le Mans 24 Hours this weekend image

“There’s nothing like seeing and experiencing sports at their highest level. It’s an honor for me to be part of this historic moment in motorsport and help celebrate the Centenary of one of the biggest sporting events in the world,” said James.

LeBron will flag off the 62-car grid for this year's Le Mans 24 Hours, but he's not the first NBA player to have the honor of doing the ceremonial start for the prestigious race. Back in 2020, Tony Parker flagged off the endurance race, albeit when it was done virtually due to the pandemic. Notable starters in the past also include Rafael Nadal in 2018 after winning his 11th French Open, Brad Pitt in 2016, Alain Delon in 1996, Georges Pompidou in 1972, and Steve McQueen in 1971 after he came out with the movie Le Mans. 

James himself is somewhat making himself involved in motorsports, as he is a partner in the Fenway Sports Group that co-owns the RFK Racing NASCAR team. Speaking of which, LeBron will get to see a NASCAR-spec Chevrolet Camaro going flat out throughout the Circuit de la Sarthe as a special Garage 56 entry in the endurance race.

So whether you are a basketball fan or a motorsports fan, the Le Mans 24 Hours this weekend (10 pm Saturday Philippine time) is definitely a must-see on TV.

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