South Sudan’s Olympic basketball debut was on Sunday marked by an unexpected hiccup during the team presentation. As the South Sudanese players lined up for their national anthem, the organizers mistakenly played the anthem of Sudan instead.
The South Sudanese fans in attendance quickly voiced their frustration, waving flags and shouting until the incorrect anthem was stopped. South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011 following a referendum, has its own distinct anthem.
During the pause as organizers searched for the correct anthem, the entire Pierre Mauroy Stadium erupted in applause to show solidarity with the South Sudan team and their fans. Even the players from the Puerto Rico national team joined in the support.
Though the stadium was not yet at full capacity, the attendance was approaching the 27,000 mark seen on the first day of the Olympics. After a brief delay, the correct anthem was played.
Despite the mix-up, the fans reaffirmed their support with resounding ovations once the correct anthem concluded.
Despite a slow start, South Sudan bounced back and defeated Puerto Rico, 90-79.
This resilience was not new for the team, as they had faced tough exhibition games against FIBA powerhouses like the USA and Serbia, which taught them to stay strong under pressure. They were just one shot away from beating Team USA in the friendlies.