Paris Olympics 2024 organisers in huge anthem blunder as they play WRONG tune for nation making basketball debut

A MAJOR anthem blunder rocked the Paris Olympics after organisers played the WRONG track before South Sudan’s men’s basketball game.

But the African team – who were making their basketball debut – rallied in the second-half to pull off a stunning upset as they beat seasoned pros Puerto Rico 90-79.

GettySouth Sudan pulled off a huge upset after beating Puerto Rico in their men’s basketball Olympic debut[/caption]

GettyBut the start was mared when organisers seemingly played the wrong anthem[/caption]

GettyPlayers stood in unison with their hands over their hearts during the blunder[/caption]

But prior to the start of Sunday’s game against the Caribbean island, the national anthem was abruptly cut off 20 seconds in.

Various online posts have claimed it was Sudan’s anthem – and not South Sudan’s – that was played over the arena speakers in Lille.

The South Sudanese stars first stood confused, prompting fans of both teams inside the Pierre Mauroy Stadium to boo. 

Spectators then started clapping as BOTH SETS of players stood in unison with their hands over their hearts waiting for the issue to be resolved.

The audio track was restarted about three minutes later to an ovation from fans.

When it concluded, South Sudan‘s players embraced and promptly pulled off the first major upset, marking just the second time an African team have won a men’s Olympic basketball game since 1996.

Puerto Rico has competed in 10 Olympic Games and has NBA star Jose Alvarado – whose 19 points on Sunday was not enough – among it’s squad.

But South Sudan qualified for men’s basketball for the first time ever last year, after emerging from civil war with Sudan to become an independent nation in 2011. 

GettyPlenty of South Sudanese fans were in attendance in Lille to support their nation[/caption]

OLYMPICS FREE BETS – SIGN UP OFFERS AND DEAL FOR PARIS 2024

What’s happening today at The Games?

WHAT TO WATCH TODAY…

THE PARIS 2024 Olympics started with a stunning Opening Ceremony – and now the Games really do begin.

SunSport brings you all the action taking place in the French capital on a thrilling first full day.

Adam Peaty will be the headline act for Team GB as he goes for gold in the final of the 100m breaststroke (8.50pm).

A lot of eyes will also be on LeBron James, Stephen Curry and the Team USA men’s basketball team, who start their campaign against Nikola Jokic and Serbia (11.15am ET / 4.15pm BST).

There are not expected to be too many other British medal tilts on Sunday, but the women’s gymnastics team (all day) are going through qualification as are the rowing teams (from 8am).

The both the men’s (vs South Africa, 7.15pm) and women’s hockey teams (vs Spain 12.15pm) are both in action.

American swimming stars Carson Foster and Tori Huske are among a multitude of stars joining Adam Peaty in the pool from around 7pm BST / 2pm ET.

Click here for all the events taking place at Paris 2024 today.

Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.

South Sudan have 14 athletes representing them at Paris 2024, 12 of them in the men’s basketball team and two in athletics.

Abraham Guem will compete in the men’s 800m, while Lucia Morris will run the women’s 100m due to take place during the final week of the Games.

South Sudan made it’s Olympic debut in Rio 2016, where the nation was allotted three universality places to compete in track and field events.

Universality places are designed to increase diversity, and they’re available for National Olympic Committees with traditionally small delegations.

To be eligible for a Universality place, athletes must participate in the Olympic Qualifier Series and finish in the top 24 in the final ranking.

Meanwhile, South Sudan will have to run through Lebron James‘ United States star-studded side and Nikola Jokic’s Serbia.

But the win gives them a puncher’s chance of pulling another upset and sneaking through to the knockout round.

They will face Team USA on Wednesday, July 31, in a rematch of a wildly close and entertaining exhibition in London last week.

Eurosport’s Olympic line-up in full

Presenters:

Laura Woods
Reshmin Chowdhury
Orla Chennaoui
Craig Doyle

Reporters:

Radzi Chinyanganya
Jaydee Dyer
Caroline de Moraes
Becky Ives
Rachel Stringer
Laura Winter
Matt Smith
Kate Mason

Pundits:

Adam Blythe
Tom Daley
Laura Robson
Shauna Coxsey
Carl Frampton
Stef Reid
Joanna Roswell
Ellie Simmonds
Lizzie Simmonds
Iwan Thomas
Nile Wilson