(CN) Beijing: to bar banners ...and slogans ... for animal protection purposes

[Guest guest]

Hong Kong Standard

2008-07-15

 

 

Beijing lays down Olympic laws: No... running naked, getting drunk,

opening umbrellas

 

 

Streaking is definitely out at the Olympic Games next month. So is

getting drunk, opening umbrellas in the stands, mobbing the referee or

carrying a large number of coins in your pocket.

 

Large banners with political or religious slogans are also out.

 

This is no hodgepodge of rules. They are carefully considered

regulations adopted at all Olympic and Paralympic Games but with Chinese

characteristics, according to the Beijing Organizing Committee for the

Olympic Games.

 

The 26 " spectators house rules " announced yesterday will also be applied

to the equestrian events in Hong Kong.

 

" People's habits differ in different countries, so we have made changes

to some of the rules, " the organizing committee's spectator services

division deputy director Huang Keying said in Beijing yesterday. She

said the opening of umbrellas in the stands is one of the major changes.

 

" In foreign countries people like to sunbathe, but in Beijing people

prefer to avoid the sunlight. So while we will allow people to carry

collapsible umbrellas, they must not open them in the stands. "

 

The other major change from previous regulations is the ban on carrying

a large number of coins as this could trigger alarm signals, she said.

 

Huang said the Beijing rules largely follow those used in Athens and

Sydney and will apply to both the Olympics next month and the Paralympic

Games in September.

 

The Beijing committee will also bar spectators from carrying banners

larger than two meters by one meter, and slogans with any message for

commercial, religious, political, military, human rights, environmental

protection or animal protection purposes.

 

" We advise people not to bring banners of any kind to the Games because

we must create a fair play environment for athletes from all countries, "

Huang said.

 

" For instance, a banner proclaiming Go China!' would be unfair to

athletes from other countries. "

 

The rules also ban flags of non- participating members of the Olympics

and Paralympics, loudspeakers, whistles, breakable items, packaged food

and beverages, lighters, matches, long umbrellas, cameras, recorders and

animals, except guide dogs.

 

Using flash photography, entering into venues while drunk, diverting

athletes' attention and making unauthorized recordings is also

considered inappropriate. Violators may be asked to leave the venues,

Huang said.

 

Illegal behavior will be reported to the police.

 

This includes running naked, sit-ins, demonstrations, gambling, carrying

guns, firecrackers, holding subversive activities, mobbing the judge,

athletes and staff workers.

 

A spokesman for the Equestrian Company said the Beijing rules will apply

to the Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events in Hong Kong, with minor

adjustments to cater for local situations.

 

carol.chung