Vuvuzelas will not be allowed at the Olympics for the second straight Games.
Sochi Olympic organizers have published a spectator guide for February.
Notably, it includes prohibited items at venues. The most eye-catching are vuvuzelas and “printed literature, banners, banners with religious, political or offensive content or content which is contrary to civil order and/or morals.”
Here’s the full list:
• Firearms and sharp implements, ammunition, explosives
• Flammable liquids and materials, gases and gas canisters, toxic, poisonous, and caustic substances. Narcotic and psychotropic substances
• Medicines, no more than one packet, no more than three types, with a total capacity of no more than 100 ml
• Large bags and suitcases
• Food and drink products, including alcoholic beverages (with the exception of children’s food and milk, no more than one liter per child), thermos flasks and jars, glass containers and bottles, liquids with a total volume greater than 100 ml
• Flags and banners larger than 2x1m, or the flags of countries which are not participating in the Games. Printed literature, banners, banners with religious, political or offensive content or content which is contrary to civil order and/or morals.
• Any advertising materials
• Radio frequency equipment (with the exception of USB modems, smart phones and telephones, security keys, medical implants, hearing aids), laser devices, tripods
• Devices creating excessive noise which may impede the staging and watching of events (vuvuzelas, etc.)
• Sporting goods and bicycles
• Any items which look like the aforementioned prohibited items or are copies of banned items.
Vuvuzelas, made (in)famous at the 2010 South Africa World Cup, were also prohibited at the London 2012 Olympics.
London’s banned list included oversized hats, excessive amounts of food, large golf-style umbrellas, noisemakers and clothing with political statements or commercial signage.
In Vancouver 2010, banned items included criminally prohibited weapons, toy guns, water balloon launchers, hockey sticks and pucks, thundersticks and pocket wizards that weren’t registered with Industry Canada.
Also outlawed were specific actions, including spitting and public incitement of hatred and willful promotion of hatred.
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