Joel Embiid in Paris

Joel Embiid's decision to represent Team USA instead of France at the 2024 Paris Olympics has drawn significant criticism from French fans, especially after he had previously been perceived as committed to playing for France. The involvement of French President Emmanuel Macron in recruiting Embiid further heightened expectations, leading to boos from the crowd as he took the court against the host nation. Despite the backlash, Embiid expressed his pride in representing the USA and mentioned that he wanted to honor his son born in the US. He hinted at the possibility of playing for Cameroon in future Olympics, indicating a complex relationship with national allegiances. Additionally, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic criticized Embiid for allegedly traveling during a match against Serbia, underscoring the contentious atmosphere surrounding the player at the games. Overall, Embiid's decisions and performances have sparked debates about national representation in sports.