Australian boxer breaches Olympic uniform protocol

July 30, 2012: Australia's Damien Hooper wears a T-shirt bearing the Aboriginal flag as he makes his way to the ring to fight United States' Marcus Browne at the 2012 Summer Olympics. (AP)

LONDON – An Australian boxer who wore a t-shirt emblazoned with an Aboriginal flag into his Olympic bout has been cautioned by team officials for breaching a policy which prohibits athletes making political statements.
Damien Hooper, who won his opening light heavyweight bout Monday against Marcus Browne of the United States, said: "I'm Aboriginal, I'm representing my culture and my people as well. That's what I wanted to do."
AOC spokesman Mike Tancred said the AOC had informed the IOC of the apparent breach of its uniform policy and that he could face action from the organizing group.
Tancred also said Hooper had been warned over the incident, promised to wear only his Australian uniform in the future and would apologize to Australian team chef de mission Nick Green.