The Australian team at the Winter Olympics in Canada have been given permission to fly their Boxing Kangaroo flag in the Olympic village, after a row over the symbol.
The massive image is currently draped over two storeys of the athletes' accommodation in Vancouver, but the team had earlier been ordered to remove it.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) told Australia take down the flag last week because it is a registered trademark, and so violates Games rules.
But the team remained defiant - and they have now been told by IOC boss Jacques Rogge that the flag can stay.
Officials in the 45-strong Australian delegation were adamant that the boxing kangaroo had been part of the team's Olympic set-up since the 2000 Sydney Games.
'Great Australian symbol'
"I think everyone recognises that it's a great Australian symbol that's been to many, many Games," said Australia Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman.
Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard slammed the IOC's order as "ridiculous" and called for more flags bearing the famous symbol of a kangaroo wearing boxing gloves to be put on display.
"It's a scandal," Gillard told the Nine Network. "I think we want to see a lot of the Boxing Kangaroo, particularly now that we've had this ridiculous ruling. So, yes, boxing kangaroos everywhere."
The Boxing Kangaroo symbol came to prominence during the country's 1983 America's Cup yachting victory.
The Australian Olympic Committee later bought the image from businessman Alan Bond, owner of winning yacht "Australia II".
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