IOC allows Australia to keep boxing kangaroo flag in Olympic village

IOC allows Aussie kangaroo flag to stay in village

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Australia won’t have to take down its giant “boxing kangaroo flag” from the athletes’ village for the Vancouver Olympics.

Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates says a deal was reached Sunday with the International Olympic Committee to keep the flag up for the duration of the games.

The green and gold flag, which depicts a red-gloved cartoon kangaroo, has been hanging from a balcony from the Australian team’s living area in the village since last Sunday.

The Australians had been under pressure to take it down because it was deemed too commercial and a registered trademark.

But Coates says IOC president Jacques Rogge told him the flag can stay. Coates says the Australians must register the symbol with the IOC for future games.