Embiid Faces Hostile Reception from French Fans at Olympics

VILLENEUVE-D'ASCQ, France – Joel Embiid's decision to represent the United States instead of France at the Paris Olympics has sparked a strong reaction from French fans. During the U.S. men's basketball team's opening game against Serbia, Embiid was met with relentless boos every time he touched the ball, highlighting the disappointment of French supporters who had hoped he would play for the host nation. The backlash stems from Embiid's choice to play for Team USA, despite having been granted naturalized citizenship by France in 2022. French fans had anticipated a star-studded lineup featuring Embiid alongside NBA talents Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert. Although Embiid also had the option to represent Cameroon, the team was eliminated early in the qualification rounds, leaving him with the U.S. as his only viable choice. Embiid has expressed that his decision to play for the U.S. was influenced by personal reasons, particularly the birth of his son in the United States. However, he has not elaborated on why he ultimately chose the U.S. over France, which has fueled the frustration among French fans. In the game against Serbia, Embiid contributed modestly with four points, one block, and two rebounds, as Team USA secured a decisive 110-84 victory. The incident underscores the complexities of national identity and allegiance in international sports, particularly for athletes with ties to multiple countries.