ATHENS, Aug 23 (AFP) - South Korean sports officials have put on hold for 24 hours plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over the judging error that cost Yang Tae-Young a gymnastics gold medal.
The Koreans had intended to lodge the appeal on Monday but delayed the decision while talks continue with officials from the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).
"Team officials continue to investigate exactly what happened," said Park Yang-Chun, secretary general of the Korean National Olympic Committee on Monday.
He added that only when that was completed would a final decision be made about going to CAS.
A judging blunder led to American Paul Hamm winning the gold in last Wednesday`s all-round event and although FIG later admitted an error had been made, a spokeman said under their rules a judges decision can`t be overturned.
On Saturday three judges involved in the controversy were suspended by FIG.
If South Korea does go to CAS they are unlikely to win the appeal.
"CAS practice is quite clear," said a spokesman. "It refuses to enter into a scoring dispute unless there`s been a case of bribery and this is not the case regarding the gymnastics dispute. But we will look at the case once it is filed."
The IOC has made it clear that it has no intention of awarding a second gold medal as happened in the figure skating in Salt Lake City which was won by the Russian pair.
An investigation showed there had been jury-rigging and the IOC awarded another gold to the Canadian pair.
IOC director of communications Giselle Davies said there was no comparison between the gymnastics case and that of the Salt Lake City affair.