26/07/2012

London Olympic Officials Take Responsibility For Flag Mistake

Olympic officials in London have taken responsibility for mistakenly displaying the flag of South Korea while introducing the North Korean women’s football team at Hampden Stadium in Glasgow.

Prime Minister David Cameron said it was "an honest mistake".

In a news conference on the eve of the opening ceremony of the Games, he told assembled journalists: "This was an honest mistake, honestly made.

"An apology has been made and I'm sure every step has been taken to ensure these things don't happen again.

"We shouldn't over-inflate this episode - it was unfortunate, it shouldn't have happened and I think we can leave it at that."

It is understood the video package was sent from London and Hampden organisers had no input.

The team later appeared to play the match.

A statement released by London 2012 organisers said: "Ahead of the women's football match at Hampden Park, the Republic of Korea flag was shown on a big screen video package instead of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea flag.

"Clearly that is a mistake, we will apologise to the team and the National Olympic Committee and steps will be taken to ensure this does not happen again."

As yet the London games organisers have been unable to clarify who made the video.

(H)


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