New Delhi: An embarrassing anthem error left Paris Olympics organisers red-faced on Sunday, for the second time in three days.
After South Korea’s Olympic team was incorrectly introduced as North Korea during Friday’s opening ceremony, South Sudan’s basketball match was marred by the wrong anthem being played.
The players of the African team were initially surprised, then confused and distraught when the wrong anthem was played as they stood in a line before their clash with Puerto Rico.
The fans of South Sudan fans who were at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d’Ascq made their displeasure known through jeers from the stands.
The blunder was identified after almost 20 seconds and the correct anthem was played, leading to even Puerto Ricon players and their supporters applauding it.
South Sudan then shook off that avoidable incident, to win 90-79 on their debut in the basketball tournament at Olympics.
“It’s the pride for their country. South Sudan. ‘Sud’ means ‘the land of the Black.’ These guys wanted to play. Wanted to hear their anthem. They messed up on the anthem, but they got it correct. We all make mistakes,” South Sudan coach Royal Ivey said.
“I’m definitely going to put that in comments. But at the end of the day, these guys are brothers.”
South Sudan forward Nuni Omot the error served as motivation and united the players.
“It gave us fuel to the fire. Obviously, we felt disrespected when that happened. We’ve got to still earn our respect,” Omot said.
“So, I feel like for us we’ve got to continue to show the world what we’re capable of. That was just a testament, people not respecting us still.”
After South Korea’s Olympic team was incorrectly introduced as North Korea during Friday’s opening ceremony, South Sudan’s basketball match against Puerto Rico was marred by the wrong anthem being played. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
