Ioc: 2 Chinese Athletes Warned Over Mao Badges
The International Olympic Committee says it has issued a warning to two Chinese cycling medalists who wore badges of the country's former leader Mao Zedong.
The two athletes won the gold in the women's sprint at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday. The pair appeared on the podium wearing badges with an image of Mao.
The IOC set up a disciplinary panel to interview the Chinese team. Their gesture was thought to be a potential breach of the Olympic Charter, which bans political statements.
The charter says "no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."
The IOC told reporters on Saturday that the case was now closed as the Chinese side gave assurances it will not happen again.
But the IOC did not mention whether the Chinese athletes breached the Olympic Charter or not.