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Welcome to Beijing

By Richard Tonkin
Created 28/07/2008 - 09:05

Visiting China twenty years ago, during the Olympics (Seoul?) of 1988, I was amazed at how many people were watching the event on television.  I guess TV's weren't as prolific there back then, as it seemed that in every public place all eyes were on a screen.  Personally, being the sports buff that I'm not, the only reason I was watching was that the highlights were the only English language show on TV. 

I've been listening to Ian Thorpe and HG Nelson's lamenting that they won't be able to cheer for Australian Olympians at Beijing.  What's that about, fear of a "Free Tibet" chant being slipped in?  How the Olympics are transmitted to the world is going to be an interesting one, with time-delays set in place to ensure a portrayal of harmony, but looking at the official Spectators' House Rules, it doesn't look like folks in the live audience will be able to get away with much.

Plenty here to pick at, if anyone's in the mood: 

 

1. All sites and venues will open two hours prior to the start of competition. Everyone has to go through security checks. Please allow enough time for travel to the venue and for queuing to pass security.

2. To avoid delays at security and to maintain an orderly flow, please DO NOT bring the following articles to any venue:

 -- food and beverages in either hard or soft containers

 -- breakable objects and containers; drums, horns and whistles

 -- bulky, large bags or cases which will not fit in the seating areas

 -- flags of non-members of the Olympics or Paralympics; flags or banners larger than 2 m x 1 m; flagpoles; any banners, slogans, fliers, brochures or samples

 -- unauthorized professional photographic equipment

 -- knives, bats, long-handled umbrellas, sticks, camera tripods, or sharp, pointed articles that could injure others

 -- animals (lead dogs for the blind excepted)

 -- any wheeled equipment other than strollers or wheelchairs

 -- any electronic equipment that could interfere with the electronic signals of the Olympics, such as unauthorized walkie-talkies, megaphones, radios, laser gadgets or wireless equipment, etc.

 -- firearms, ammunition, crossbows, daggers and other controlled weapons; explosives such as fireworks and firecrackers; corrosive and radioactive materials expressly prohibited by Chinese law

3. All spectators have to sit in their numbered seat. Read the seating instructions on your ticket and go to the corresponding location. For assistance, ask nearby staff.

4. To ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone, the following behavior in any venue is considered inappropriate and will be stopped:

 -- smoking in non-smoking areas

 -- climbing over barriers, walking on seats, throwing objects into the stands or field of competition

 -- entering non-disabled seat areas with baby carriages or wheelchairs

 -- entering restricted areas, such as VIP sections, those reserved for staff, and the field of competition

 -- opening umbrellas or parasols in the seating areas, standing for long periods and blocking the view, or any other behavior that affects the enjoyment of other spectators

 -- deliberately displaying signage on clothing or other items; group displays of identical or similar patterns, color combinations or commercial logos on clothing

 -- any behavior that disrupts the athletes, games officials, and coaches, that interferes with the smooth running of the event, or impedes other spectators from watching, including but not limited to, using a flash to take pictures, being in a drunken state, and disobeying instructions from the staff

5. Without prior official permission, the following activities are prohibited: any kind of publicity, advertising, displays or collection of money; distributing sales promotion samples or merchandise with commercial logos; TV reporting or using professional recording equipment.

6. It is strictly forbidden to harass referees, athletes or other personnel; no gambling of any kind will be tolerated; rallies, sit-ins, demonstrations, drunken behavior, streaking and any other activities that disrupt the Games, or are illegal under Chinese law, are strictly prohibited.


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