Beijing organizers' set of rules aimed at maintaining orderly crowds

BEIJING -- For any Olympic fans wanting to make like Robin Hood, know this: Crossbows will be banned at venues. The Chinese government will be taking tough security measures when the Olympics begin in 3½ weeks. It issued another reminder Monday about fan behavior and what not to bring into Olympic sites. Hoping to stage-manage a perfect show, Beijing organizers have been preaching "civilized behavior" for several years as the Aug. 8 games approach: no spitting, stand in line, and be polite to other nationalities. Zhang Zhenliang, a Beijing organizing committee official, said Monday the rules were aimed at "maintaining an orderly, civilized and peaceful environment at competition venues." Zhang ran off a list of restricted articles, which he said was similar to other Olympics. The difference with these Olympics is the repeated emphasis on order, security and decorum for the Chinese. Banned items include guns, ammunition, crossbows, daggers, fireworks, flammable materials, corrosive chemicals and radioactive materials. Restricted items include a wide assortment: musical instruments, oversized carry-on bags, suitcases, handbags, flags of countries and regions not participating either in the Olympics or Paralympics, flags more than two meters in length or one meter in height, banners, leaflets, posters and unauthorized professional videotaping equipment. Also restricted are knives, bats, long-handled umbrellas, long poles, animals (except for guide dogs), vehicles (except for strollers and wheelchairs), loudspeakers, radios, laser devices or wireless devices. There are also rules about behavior at venues: no smoking, no crossing over guardrails, no use of umbrellas or standing for a long period of time in the seating area, and no flash photography.

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