The NBA star also competed in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games
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LeBron James debuts tattoo of Olympic rings following fourth Games in Paris. PHOTO: GANGA/INSTAGRAM (2)
LeBron James has new ink to commemorate his time at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The basketball star — who, on Aug. 10, captained Team USA Basketball to its 17th gold win — debuted a tattoo of the Olympic rings following his fourth time at the games, where he was also a flag bearer for the opening ceremony on Jul. 26.
James, 39, competed in the Olympics in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2024. In his debut year, he took home a bronze medal and scored gold medals the following three appearances.
Over the weekend, tattoo artist Joaquin Ganga of celebrity-loved Ganga Tattoo Studio in L.A. shared an Instagram Reel of James getting the work of art on his inner forearm.
“Tattooing the Olympic rings for the king @kingjames Thank you for all bro,” Ganga wrote.
The post includes various clips of James looking calm, cool and collected while getting his new ink, as this isn’t his first time in a tattoo chair. Among his other work is a serpent tattoo by Vanessa Aurelia that pays tribute to the late Kobe Bryant, who died on Jan. 26, 2020, in a helicopter crash.
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Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant pose with their gold medals following Team USA Basketball’s victory on Aug. 10. GREGORY SHAMUS/GETTY
While James has participated in the iconic sporting event many times, this year’s proved to be extra special for him in the later part of his career.
“I’m 39 years old and going into my 22nd [NBA] season,” James told reporters, including PEOPLE, following Team USA Basketball’s win against France last month. “I don’t know how many opportunities and moments I’m gonna get… just to be able to compete for something big and playing big games — and tonight was a big game.”
The upcoming NBA season, starting on Oct. 22, will be James’ 22nd in the league. He will be playing alongside his 19-year-old son Bronny James for the Los Angeles Lakers, making them the first father-son duo to do so in the NBA’s history.
