Olympics 2012 tennis: US flag blows away at ceremony

London: The flag of the US flew at the Olympic medal ceremony for Serena Williams` tennis victory Saturday, although not in the way organisers intended.

With Williams wearing her women`s singles gold, the medallists` flags were hoisted as the Star-Spangled Banner played, but a gust of wind blew the US flag away, leaving only the Russian and Belarusian flags flying. The incident brought smiles from the players, while organisers opted not to raise the Stars and Stripes again. Williams won her first Olympic singles gold by demolishing Russia`s Maria Sharapova in the final 6-0, 6-1. The bronze went to Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, who beat Russian No. 3 Maria Kirilenko in straight sets. IANS