South Korea to walk in Ceremonies

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The IOC convinced South Korea to back off its threat to boycott the closing ceremony over the disqualification of short-track speed skater Kim Dong-sung.

"We are confident for the closing ceremony," Francois Carrard, director general of the International Olympic Committee, said Friday night.

The Korean delegation said it filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration in Sport to overturn Wednesday's ruling, which gave the gold to U.S. skater Apolo Anton Ohno in the 1,500 meters. Kim crossed the line first but was disqualified for blocking Ohno a half-lap from the finish.

The appeal was to be heard late Friday.

"This appeal is the next step in the Korean Olympic Committee's fight against the decision," the organization said in a statement said.

On Thursday, the South Korean Olympic Committee said it would "use all measures necessary to rectify the misjudgment," including a boycott of the closing ceremony.

Early Friday, IOC officials met with the South Korean delegation.

"The Koreans very clearly explained that they are fighting for their position in front of the CAS is one thing, but in the Olympic spirit, being there participating in the closing ceremony, of course, is another thing," Carrard said.

 

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