The International Olympic Committee's (IOC) move to ban the boxing kangaroo flag from the Winter Games village in Vancouver has been called scandalous, ridiculous and infantile.

The Australian team has been asked to remove the flag because it has been deemed inappropriate, but that request has drawn some angry responses.

The boxing kangaroo is still flying high over an apartment block in the Olympic Village in Vancouver - but its days might be numbered. The International Olympic Committee says the flag is too commercial.

Chef de Mission with the Australian team, Ian Chesterman, says the IOC wants it taken down.

"We thought it was appropriate but they didn't agree with that because it's a commercial trademark - and being quite strict on commercial trademarks at this games - they said to us please take it down," he said.

Mr Chesterman says the flag will only be taken down when the IOC provides a written request.

"We're hoping to keep it up there. I think the people around Vancouver are getting right behind it too," he said.

"I walk into the village and get a great sense from the police and the officials and from other competitors and coaches saying 'hey, that looks fantastic' and then you say to somebody 'I think we might have to take it down' and they say that would be a great shame."

The boxing kangaroo became Australia's sporting symbol in 1983 when it was used in the successful America's Cup.

John Longley was part of the crew.

"It was an image that we created, to be a symbol for what we stood for, which was the red gloves. It used to have a red eye and the puffed up chest and so forth. It was aggressive, we're taking the world on," he said.

The Australian Olympic Committee has since bought the trademark and now the boxing kangaroo is seen among crowds at Olympic and Commonwealth Games and other major sporting events.

'Too controlling'

Mr Longley says the IOC just doesn't get it.

"The IOC are one of the most controlling organisations on the planet and they look after their commercial interests with absolute rigid situations," he said.

"I understand them doing it, but the reason that they've done it is because they don't get it.

"Maybe if someone explained to them what the flag was, then maybe they would understand that it ... is Australia's sporting flag. That's what it's become."

Olympic gold medallist Kieran Perkins says the International Olympic Committee's request to have the roo removed is disappointing.

"I think it's one of those classic sporting tales - men in blazers who love nothing more than to wield the voluntary power they have received and athletes who think they should have the right to look after themselves the way they want to, butting heads," he said.

Perkins says for some athletes, sporting symbols like the boxing kangaroo can be a source of motivation.

"For me it was more about what you were wearing when you pull on that jumper, or you've got that pair of swimmers and the cap on, that has those symbols," he said.

"Those things to me were the real gee-up moments. Whereas what's hanging off the walls didn't tend to bother me too much.

"But that's me personally. I do know though that there are guys that really do find those sorts of symbols awe inspiring. It can be extremely beneficial."

Perkins says for the sake of the games the Australians should obey the request if the IOC does provide a written request.

"The last thing you want to do is distract the athletes from what really matters - which is their preparation and competition - with infantile arguments over a flag that's been hung outside the building," he said.

"I do think that one of the issues you always get in these sorts of scenarios is with the personalities involved.

"If it turns out that the person from the IOC who made the complaint is particularly stubborn or dogged about the issue, then it can blow up into something which becomes a distraction.

"At the end of the day that is unnecessary and only going to disadvantage our athletes."

Nobody from the IOC was available for comment.