South Sudan’s historic Olympic debut in men’s basketball was marked by a technical issue, but it did not deter the team from achieving their first Olympic victory. On Sunday, South Sudan defeated Puerto Rico 90-79 in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France.
The game began with an incorrect national anthem being played for the South Sudanese team, which gained independence in 2011 following a period of civil war.
The anthem was halted after 20 seconds. In a display of unity and resilience, the South Sudanese players stood with their hands over their hearts, applauding while awaiting the resolution of the situation. The Puerto Rican athletes also showed solidarity.
American coach Royal Ivey of South Sudan emphasized the significance of the anthem, stating, “It’s their national pride. South Sudan. ‘Sud’ means ‘the land of the Black.’ These players were eager to compete and hear their anthem.” Despite the error, he acknowledged that mistakes happen and praised the team’s brotherhood.
Forward Nuni Omot, who scored 12 points, expressed that the incident motivated the team further. “We felt disrespected by what happened. We still need to earn respect. So, we have to keep proving to the world what we can do. It was a reminder that some people still don’t respect us,” Omot said.
The correct anthem was eventually played after a three-minute delay, receiving applause from the audience. The South Sudanese team then focused on the game, securing their historic win.
In a pre-Olympics exhibition game, South Sudan nearly defeated Team USA, losing 101-100 due to a last-minute layup by LeBron James.
