IOC President Thomas Bach revealed the organisation's Ethics Commission had closed the case into 37-year-old Moon, who won an Olympic gold medal in taekwondo at Athens 2004 and been elected as a member of the Athletes' Commission in 2008.

He had been accused in April 2012 of plagiarising much of his doctorate thesis at Kookmin University, entitled "Effect of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) on Flexibility and Isokinetic Muscle Strength in Taekwondo Player".

But, despite repeatedly asking the University for its own findings, the IOC had never received a reply and had now decided to close the case, said Bach.

He did warn, however, that the case would remain on file.

"If new elements emerge, however, the case could be reconsidered," said Bach.

Moon Dae-sung chats with Thomas Bach during the IOC President's visit to Seoul last month ©Getty Images

The accusation against Moon came shortly after he had successfully run to become a politician in the legislative district of Saha-gu under the ruling Saenuri Party.

He resigned from the party immediately the allegations became public.

In May, former Hungarian President Pal Schmitt, a double Olympic fencing gold medallist and IOC member since 1983, had been reprimanded by the Ethics Commission after a panel at Semmelweis University found his thesis had been plagiarised and revoked his academic title. 

The scandal had forced Schmitt to step down as President of Hungary. 

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