South Sudan Claims Its First Ever Olympic Victory
VILLENEUVE-D'ASCQ, France (AP) — In a historic moment for South Sudan, the players jogged onto the court on Sunday, greeted by the cheers of fans waving their national flag. Nuni Omot paused, placing his hand on the Paris 2024 logo emblazoned on the court, a symbol of their journey to this moment. Less than two hours later, they would be celebrating their country’s first-ever Olympic victory.
In a thrilling opener for both teams, South Sudan triumphed over Puerto Rico with a score of 90-79. Carlik Jones led the charge, scoring 19 points, while Marial Shayok contributed 15 points. Omot added 12 points and six rebounds, showcasing the depth of talent within the team. Coach Royal Ivey expressed pride in the achievement, stating, “We’re not a secret anymore.”
This victory marks a significant milestone for South Sudan, which qualified for the Olympics as Africa’s top finisher in last year’s World Cup. The team’s journey to this point has been filled with challenges, including a rocky start to the day when officials mistakenly played the wrong national anthem before the game. However, Omot noted that this misstep only fueled their determination to perform at their best. “It gave us fuel to the fire,” he said. “Obviously, we felt disrespected when that happened. ... We’ve got to continue to show the world what we’re capable of."
The game itself was a rollercoaster, with Puerto Rico initially taking control. They led throughout the first half, but the momentum shifted late in the second quarter when their top scorer, Jose Alvarado, suffered an apparent ankle injury. Despite returning early in the third quarter and finishing with 26 points and five assists, Alvarado's injury proved detrimental to Puerto Rico's chances.
As the game progressed, South Sudan seized control, building a lead of 13 points with just over three minutes remaining. The team’s resilience and tenacity were evident, especially after nearly pulling off an upset against the U.S. in a pre-Olympic exhibition match.
Puerto Rico's coach, Nelson Colon, praised Alvarado's determination, stating, “Jose's a warrior. Other players would maybe say I’m hurt, I can't go. But he said, 'I’m here, I'll do my best to try to help the team.'” Despite Alvarado's efforts, Puerto Rico could not regain their footing.
As South Sudan prepares to face the U.S. on Tuesday, the victory serves as a testament to their hard work and dedication. The world is now watching, and South Sudan is ready to prove that they belong on the Olympic stage.