A German honorary member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was filmed gesturing what seemed to be a 'Nazi' salute during the London 2012 opening ceremony, but an IOC spokesman said the man is "devastated" over media's interpretation of his wave.

When his team paraded around the stadium, Walther Tröger extended his left arm back and forth from his chest to his front, catching attention from other spectators.

A spokesman for the German Olympic Sports Federation has spoken in defence of Mr Tröger.

"It's infamous, disgusting and unacceptable to create any kind of relation to Nazis. He's been standing all his life for tolerance, understanding and fair play," said Christian Klaue.

Mr Tröger was mayor of Munich Olympic village in 1972. He had offered himself to trade for Israeli hostages during the Black September terrorist attack, Telegraph reported.

Other news outlets mentioned Hitler in the 1940s used the right arm for the salute.

A spokesman for the IOC also spoke to defend Mr Tröger, speaking of his outstanding character and ideas of "fair play."

"I can't think of anyone who is less antisemitic than him. He is devastated that it was interpreted in this way," said Mark Adams.

The controversial salute on Twitter

Twitter users immediately shouted out comments about the salute.

Tweeter @simonfromharlow tweeted, "Was that a fat bloke giving a Nazi salute to Germany?"

Tweeter @allgoodcafe checked whether it was only him who noticed the familiar wave. He tweeted, "Did I just see a guy doing a #nazisalute?"

Tweeter @RichardGordon48 said, "Tell me that guy wasn't doing a Nazi salute when the German team came out. Surely not?"

A tweeter helped spreading some background on Mr Tröger:

Tweeter ‏@hwallop posted, "German who gave 'nazi' salute at Opening Ceremony? He was mayor of Munich Olympic village; offered himself in exchange for Israeli hostages."

Other tweeters just pointed out that Boris Johnson and Camilla Parker-Bowles are in the frame, laughing.

Tweeter @shoutsatcows said, "No idea if that's deliberately a Nazi salute, but Boris and Camilla love it."

Here is a tweeted film capture of the salute:

Spectators React on London Olympics ‘Nazi’ Salute (Twitter)

Australia currently ranks 8th place

Meanwhile, Australia is currently at the eighth place at the London Olympics. The Aussie Olympians have so far gathered one each of gold, silver and bronze. Women's 4x100m freestyle relay athletes were the first to claim gold for the country. China is leading with a 6-4-2 standing.

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