The IOC has defended a German official who has been accused of performing the 'Nazi salute' during the opening ceremony of the London Games.
Honorary IOC member Walther Tröger was filmed extending his left arm back and forth a number of times as the German team marched around London's Olympic stadium on July 27, the Telegraph reports.
IOC spokesman Mark Adams has vehemently denied allegations that Mr Tröger was honoring the Nazis.
"I can't think of anyone who is less anti-Semitic than him," he said.
"He is devastated that it was interpreted in this way."
In 1972, Mr Tröger offered to exchange himself for Israeli hostages while serving as mayor of the Olympic Village during the Munich Games.
He has a history of helping Germany overcome the dark chapters of its past and in 2004 protested to the IOC about Germans wearing T-shirts that read "Blitzkrieg — it's only a game".
Christian Kalue, a spokesman for the German Olympic Sports Federation has also leapt to Mr Tröger's defence.
"It's infamous, disgusting and unacceptable to create any kind of relation to Nazis," he said.
"He's been standing all his life for tolerance, understanding and fair play."
German commentators on Twitter have also urged the public not to misinterpret Mr Tröger's actions.
Commentators have also noted that the Nazis saluted with their right hand while Mr Tröger used his left.
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