The International Olympic Committee has signed off on awarding an Olympic medal certificate for Park Jong Woo, who was banned from collecting his medalfollowing a controversial post-match celebration in the men’s soccer bronze-medal game at the London Games.
South Korea defeated Japan, 2-0, to win its first soccer medal, but Park wasbarred from collecting his bronze medal and remains under disciplinary investigation by FIFA after displaying a sign that read, in Korean, “Dokdo Is Our Territory.”
Park’s actionsfollowed a surprise visit to the islands, to which Japan has also laid territorial claims and which is known in Japan as Takeshima, by South Korean President Lee MyungBak before the match. The Olympic Charter prohibits any display of political statements by participating athletes, coaches and even fans.
The Korea Football Association defendedPark as acting out of impulse. Korean military officials called him courageous. FIFA’s disciplinary investigation has yet to be completed.