July 15, 2008	Tuesday	Rajab 11, 1429

BEIJING, July 14: Fans will be unable to wave banners supporting national teams at the Beijing Olympics, according to an official guide book for spectators.

The book, published by Olympic organisers and available to ticket holders, said banners backing individual teams including China were “tendentious (and) violate the fairness principle of an Olympic event,” state media reported.

Also banned from stadiums are materials supporting human rights, religion or politics as well as animal rights and the environment. Commercial banners promoting products are also banned from stadiums during the August 8-24 Games.

Huang Keying, an official on the organising committee, said the guidelines were in line with the Olympic Charter, which outlaws using the Games to promote religious, political and racial discrimination.

Drunkenness, nudity and gambling are also banned from Olympic venues, as are soft drink containers, musical instruments, cameras and radios.

Animals other than guide dogs are also banned, and adults are discouraged from taking babies into venues.

Zhang Zhenliang, director of the Games’ inquiry centre, said the rules were designed to promote an “orderly, happy and harmonious environment,” according to Xinhua news agency.

China has already issued rules for foreign visitors, which include a ban on protests and sleeping outside during the Summer Games.—AFP