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Boxing Kangaroo Ban: IOC Bans Australian Olympic Flag (Photos)
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by Sudha Krishna | February 5, 2010 at 06:50 am
2682 views | 46 Recommendations | 12 comments
The Boxing Kangaroo, a beloved symbol on Australia's Olympic Team's Flag has been hit with an Olympic ban. The IOC (International Olympic Committee) has ordered that a giant Boxing Kangaroo flag draped by the Australian Olympic team on a balcony at Vancouver's Olympic Athletes Village be taken down.
The Australian Olympic Team is standing firm and refuses to take down the Boxing Kangaroo, which has become a hot photo op here in Vancouver.
Julia Gillard, the deputy prime minister of Australia is hopping mad over the IOC's ban of the Boxing Kangaroo -
The Deputy Prime Minister blasted as "ridiculous" the International Olympic Committee's demand it be removed from Vancouver's Winter Games village.
"It's a scandal and I think we want to see a lot of the Boxing Kangaroo, particularly now we've had this ridiculous ruling ... so yes, boxing kangaroos everywhere," said Ms Gillard, who proudly showed the flag.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott also backed the Boxing Kangaroo flag.
"I think they've flown that Boxing Kangaroo in a spirit of exuberance and I like to see exuberant, confident, vigorous athletes," he said." (source: heraldsun)
The boxing kangaroo was adopted by America's Cup Sailing team in the early 1980s and then the trademark was purchased by the Australian Olympic Team.
The IOC has vigorous guidelines about displaying non-olympic symbols at venues and any official Olympic zones.
Photos
Boxing Kangaroo: Australia Arrives in Vancouver | Photo 03
uploaded by Jordan Yerman
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Jordan Yerman
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (12)
at 07:10 on February 5th, 2010
You beat me to this story by mere moments. A country comprised mostly of desert that sends a team halfway around the world to compete in winter sports is probably not afraid of a little pushback.
The IOC's education in media relations begins today.
at 07:40 on February 5th, 2010
That has to be one of their dumbest decisions ever.
at 08:37 on February 5th, 2010
Ridiculous!
at 09:18 on February 5th, 2010
I've meet a few fellows from down under ,
They seem to be a fairly hard headed lot, & I bet the IOC took a bite that they really don't want to chew :)
at 09:56 on February 5th, 2010
The IOC has vigorous guidelines about displaying non-olympic symbols at venues and any official Olympic zones. Well, maybe kangaroo boxing can be considered for a future entry into the Summer Games. Go Australia.
at 10:24 on February 5th, 2010
This is a good example of why Sydney Australia in 2000 was the LAST city to host an Olympic event that did well economically and socially for their country. They flipped off the IOC then, and they're still doing it today. John Furlong, CEO VANOC, should have taken some lessons from the Aussies and also put our community before the IOC. Instead, he sided with the IOC and their Olympic sponsors. Dale Begg-Smith, a Canadian, but who is an Olympic gold medal mogul winner FOR AUSTRALIA is another example of their tenacious attitude.
at 10:51 on February 5th, 2010
Where can I obtain a Boxing Kangaroo flag. I would like to fly it over my business in North Vancouver so thw IOC can see it across the harbour.
at 15:28 on February 6th, 2010
There's a flag store on West 4th avenue near the Granville Bridge exit- I don't know if they have boxing kangaroo flags, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did.
at 02:54 on February 7th, 2010
The Kangaroo's name is Jack. He came to life in 1891 and has been growin ever since. His first claim to fame was on the Australian fighting planes in 1941 with the number 21 squadron with the RAAF.Later he was used in the Americas Cup Challenge in 1983 with a successful win. Then in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics. He is a national symbol that all Australians take with them to major sporting events. He stands for "the fight to win and the honour of the game"Funnily enough, even though he was taken down from the balcony of the Olympic villiage, communities around Canada have now flown the Aussie flag in support of the Aussies. As our flag is being questioned and possibly redesigned, Jack has taken prominence and is now our national symbol.
at 02:23 on February 8th, 2010
Oh for goodness sake, how ridiculous. I hope the team put up more flags! lol
Aussie, Aussie Aussie, Oi! :-)
at 13:27 on February 17th, 2010
Hi! The Flag Shop does carry these flags. But we're not on 4th Avenue anymore - we moved a couple of years ago. We are at 1615 Powell Street. In 5 days, we sold 100 Boxing Kangaroo flags. We just made 50 more. People love them!
at 17:55 on February 27th, 2010
I am a Vancouverite and I can tell you that we all welcome the boxing Kangaroo Flag. Walked passed it the other day and it is beautiful. We welcome the Roo and appreciate the Aussie athletes and visitors for coming out to Vancouver. Congratulations Ozzies for being such great athletes. ALWAYS welcome to Canada....go Ozzies go!!!