South Korean footballer to get London 2012 bronze medal despite political protest

By Duncan Mackay at the Palace Hotel in Lausanne

February 12 - South Korean footballer Park Jong-woo is to receive his bronze medal from London 2012 despite his impromptu political protest at Wembley Stadium, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ruled here today.

Park is to be given a severe warning after waving a banner saying "Dokdo is our territory", referring to a territorial dispute between South Korea and Japan while celebrating his team's 2-0 win over their fierce rivals in the Olympic bronze medal match at Wembley Stadium in August.

As a result, his medal was withheld as political protests are banned under the Olympic Charter.

But after appearing before an IOC Disciplinary Commision here last night it was decided that he should be warned to his future conduct but be awarded the medal.

Park claimed that he had waved the banner after being given it by a spectactor following the final whistle and it was not a premeditated act.

Park Jong-woo in action during the London 2012 bronze medal match against Japan

The Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) were also told that they must introduce an education programme to ensure that such an incident does not happen again in the future.

Park must receive his medal "without fanfare or publicity," as a condition of the sanction, IOC spokesman Mark Adams said.

"It was obvious he didn't make a political statement," said IOC Disciplinary Commission chairman Thomas Bach.

"He was very fair with a Japan player who was sitting on the ground weeping after the match.

"You can see from this gesture he had nothing against Japanese people,"

Park had already been punished by world governing body FIFA, who in December banned him for two games and fined him 3,500 Swiss francs (£2,400/$3,800/€2,900).

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