Field Hockey: South Africa have received an official apology from British hockey bosses yesterday after the apartheid anthem ‘Die Stem’ was mistakenly played before their match in the pre-Olympic London Cup on Tuesday. Marissa Langeni, chief executive of the South African Hockey Association, in a letter to tournament organisers, said the country “watched with disbelief as our team stood through what clearly was a most embarrassing experience”. South Africa’s women went on to beat their British counterparts 3-1 in their opening game and GB Hockey apologised for their embarrassing error.
London 2012: Novak Djokovic has said he will be Serbia’s flag-bearer at this summer’s Olympic Games in London. “We are all very excited about the Olympic games in London, such a magnificent sporting event, and it goes without saying what a great honour it is for me to carry the flag for Serbia,” Djokovic said.
Basket, NBA: Boston Celtics moved to within one victory of the NBA Finals as they beat Miami 94-90 on Tuesday, with Kevin Garnett scoring 26 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. The Celtics took a 3-2 lead in the the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final and will advance with a home win in game six tonight. “Just because we’re going to Boston doesn’t mean they are going to give it to us,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “We’re going to have to play. We’re going to have to take it.”
Horse Racing: Australian thoroughbred Black Caviar, considered the fastest horse in the world, left for Britain yesterday to race at Royal Ascot with her trainer warning she has never been in better shape. The champion mare will attempt to win her 22nd race from as many starts in the 1,200-metre Diamond Jubilee Stakes on June 23 and Melbourne-based trainer Peter Moody was supremely confident she will keep her unbeaten record intact. “She’s getting on the plane the fittest she’s been in her career,” he said.
Volleyball: Serbia took a big step towards the London Olympics when they whipped Australia in a top-of-the-table battle at the men’s qualifying tournament yesterday. The world bronze medallists never gave Australia a lead on their way to a 25-18, 25-19, 25-18 victory to remain unbeaten with four straight wins for 12 points in the eight-team round robin competition. Australia trail them with a 3-1 win-loss record for nine points in second place, followed by Iran, who have the same 3-1 record for eight points.