The Bulgarian delegation in Athens has filed an appeal against the ranking in the Olympic men's rings contest, which left Bulgarian Jordan Jovtchev second.

The move has been initiated personally by Sports Minister Vassil Ivanov and President Georgi Parvanov, who attended the Olympic Games.

The 31-year-old Bulgarian was obviously neglected by a host-dominated jury and garnered 9.850. Dimosthenis Tampakos claimed gold for the host nation Greece, outscoring the finalists by just 0.012 of a point.

Five-time world champion Yuri Chechi, of Italy, clinched bronze.

In an eloquent gesture after the competition Italian Yuri Chechi recognized the Bulgarian as the real rings winner, raising his hand in front of the cheering audience.

The International Gymnastics Federation will consider Bulgaria's contestation, the International Olympics Committee ruled later on Monday.

According to the Bulgarian team spokeswoman Zdravka Jordanova Tampakos had been credited with too high a degree of difficulty.

"What the Greek did was much easier," Jordanova said.

Earlier on Sunday Bulgaria's best gymnast Jordan Jovtchev won the bronze medal with a final result of 9.775 at the men's floor exercise.

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