ATHENS – It may be stating the obvious to say the Greek government has banned Olympic spectators from bringing bombs to events, but it has also asked them to leave their skateboards, propaganda, small change and non-copyright Olympic T-shirts at home.
And that’s not all.
Banners larger than one square metre (yard) will be confiscated, as will motorcycles, skateboards, bicycles and even the seemingly innocuous Frisbee, according to a long list issued by the public order ministry.
“Anyone who notices the presence of such an object or sees a person in possession of one is requested to immediately inform the police because security is everyone’s business,” the ministry said in a statement accompanying the list of objects which are either banned or undesirable at the August 13-29 Games.
Objects that are banned outright include explosive devices, guns, knives, clubs and other weapons. Carrying one into a stadium could result in criminal charges being brought against the offender, who will also be stripped of the right of entering any other Olympic site.
The less offensive — and dangerous — undesirable objects on the ministry’s list cover items such as non-Olympic copyright T-shirts, bags and other clothing, out-size flags, flags of countries not participating in the Games, umbrellas, and too much change.
Pockets heavy with coinage are frowned upon because Greek football louts have turned the practice of chucking money at players on the pitch into a tradition.
Spectators are urged to make sure their Olympic clothing is the bona fide object because “pirate products” have been banned from stadia, the statement said.
They will also have to gen up on the list of Olympic sponsors to ensure that they do not wear “hats or bags… bearing the insignia of competitors of the sponsors.”
Even if temperatures soar into the high 30s centigrade (90s Fahrenheit) and the Greek summer sun beats down on them, spectators will also have to leave their “parasols and umbrellas” behind.
Folding chairs are out for stadium events but authorised for spectators hoping to catch a glimpse of outside events such as the marathon or cycling road races.
No one will be given the chance to militate for a free Tibet or any other cause because “unapproved tracts, brochures and flyers” will have to be left at the entrance to the stadia.
Food, cans of drink and the family pet are also unwanted at the Games, the long list, which is an implicit request by the authorities to show up at events with a minimum of baggage in order to help the security forces carrying out checks.
The statement ended with a plea for one and all to “follow the instructions of the security forces” to make everyone’s entry into event venues easier.
The organisers have recommended that spectators get to venues two hours ahead of time, to allow ample time for security checks.
