IOC/BOCOG RULES FOR ATTENDANCE AT OLYMPIC VENUES

If you're interested in the rules for attending the Olympic Venues...

"BEIJING, July 14, 2008http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/official/n214452343.shtml


A recent BOCOG press conference release aims at complying with IOC requirements that host nations conduct venues that maintain an orderly, civilized and peaceful environment for all competition venues. These rules are similar to those of the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games. The focus of these rules places caution on articles accompanying spectators and spectator behavior at the Olympic venues. Consequently BOCOG has issued the following rules that spectators must observe during attendance at the upcoming Olympic Games.

Restricted articles include hard-packed drinks and food; fragile articles; musical instruments; carry-on bags, suitcases and handbags which are too big to carry to the seats; flags of countries and regions not participating either in the Beijing Olympic Games or Paralympic Games and other flags over two meters in length or over one meter in width; flag poles of over one meter in length; banners, leaflets, or posters; unauthorized professional videotaping equipments; knives, bats, long-handle umbrellas, long poles, sharp-ended stands for cameras and video cameras, and other objects that may cause harm and injury to people; animals (with the exception of guide dogs); vehicles (except for strollers and wheelchairs); unauthorized walky-talkies, loudspeakers, radios, laser devices or wireless devices that interfere with the electronic signals of the Olympic Games.
Inappropriate behavior include the following: smoking at a non-smoking area; crossing over the guardrail; using umbrellas or standing up for a long period of time in the seating area, thus obstructing the field of vision of other spectators; and flash photography.
In addition, rules also ban weapons and equipment including guns, ammunition, crossbows, and daggers; fireworks, firecrackers and other flammable materials; corrosive chemicals and radioactive materials.
According to BOCOG, these rules restrict rule restricts articles and behavior that are not illegal but not in conformity with Olympic regulations and tend to interfere with order, venue environment and interests of athletes and other spectators. Note that banned articles and behavior are against current Chinese laws and regulations. Legal action may be taken against violators."