Marc de Maar of the Netherlands Antilles ascended the winner's podium underneath Guadalajara's famous arches Saturday after winning the 160-kilometer cycling road race. So why wasn't the Caribbean islands' national anthem played or flag raised?

The reason: Netherlands Antilles is no longer recognized by the IOC after moving back under the governance of the Netherlands.  This will be their last appearance at the Pan American Games.

The 11 athletes from Netherlands Antilles are being allowed to compete in Guadalajara under the Pan American Sports Organizaton (PASO) flag. They will permitted a similar dispensation at next year's London Olympics.

“The fact we are no longer recognized by the IOC has made us lose the support of sponsors in our country and also the government,” Netherlands Antilles Secretary General Imro van Wilgen said at the recent PASO general assembly in Guadalajara.  “Only the high level athletes will be able to compete with an orange flag and orange uniform, singing the Dutch anthem and holding an orange, blue and white flag.  But always they will have a heart that beats to the rhythm of the Caribbean drums.”

Perhaps it was fitting that an athlete from the Netherlands Antilles should win a gold medal - only the nation's fifth in Pan Am history – in its final bow in the competition.

De Maar won in a sprint finish after clocking the same time as Venezuelan Miguel Ubeto – three hours 40.53 seconds.  Arnold Alcolea of Cuba took the bronze in 3:41.48.