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Gymnasts escape disciplinary action

: 0 Comments Print E-mail shanghaidaily, November 19, 2010

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The Olympic Council of Asia issued warnings to Chinese gymnasts but took no other disciplinary action after the athletes repeatedly made hand gestures mimicking their sponsor's logo, a top official said yesterday.

The athletes could have been sanctioned under ambush marketing regulations. The Chinese gymnastics squad has a deal with Li Ning, a Chinese sports apparel brand that is not an official Asian Games sponsor.

Vinod Tiwari, the OCA's director of international relations, said the Chinese Olympic Committee told investigators the gymnasts didn't know that making the gesture was against the rules.

"Now they understand, and they've assured us they won't do it again," said Tiwari, who added the OCA did not seek an apology.

There have been no complaints from official Asian Games sponsors, Tiwari said.

The gesture involved the athletes putting a hand on their chest with thumb up and fingers pointed out like a pistol. Men's gold medalist Teng Haibin said it was meant to resemble Li Ning's "L" shaped logo.