Olympics - restrictions and rules

[paulears]

I note the radio hams have lost (been requested to cease operation) in their 70cm band for the Olympics - quite a large area is affected - pretty well everything around the M25.

Map is here.

 

Their repeater network has also had a power reduction in the same area, but oddly, instead of it being because Ofcom need the channels, it's the MoD? Much of this band used to have MoD use in the Cold War days with their Mould radio system, but it looks like they are still the 'owners' - radio hams having a secondary status there.

 

I also spotted that LOCOG also have a ban on any radio equipment, including even de-regulated walkie-talkies. The list of prohibited items includes quite a few interesting ones that are described a little vaguely.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of restricted items which may not be taken into a Venue (LOCOG reserves the right to amend this list, generally, or in respect of any Venue or Session): food (save for baby food), alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (save for baby milk and other valid medical reasons), liquids in containers of greater than 100ml in size, needles (save as required for valid medical reasons), animals (save for assistance or guide dogs), weapons (including knives), illegal drugs, other illegal substances, fireworks, firecrackers, poles, flagpoles, sticks, large photographic equipment (including tripods), bats, large umbrellas and other blunt instruments, motorcycles, bicycles, roller-skates, skateboards, or other types of skates, electronic transmitting equipment, flags of countries not participating in the Games, large flags or banners, horns, whistles, drums, rattles, musical instruments, lasers or any other devices that in the opinion of LOCOG may disturb a Session, objects bearing trademarks or other kinds of promotional signs or messages (such as hats, T-shirts, bags, etc) which LOCOG believes are for promotional purposes, counterfeit products, balls, rackets, frisbees or similar objects, large quantities of coins, lighters, advertising or promotional material of any kind, printed matter bearing religious, political or offensive content or content contrary to public order and/or morality, bottles or containers made of glass or other material, flasks, thermoses, refrigerators, large objects such as suitcases or bags, and in general any material that LOCOG may deem dangerous or that may cause damage or disruption to a Session.

 

So an adidas bag T-shirt is out, as are any amateur photo enthusiasts. No food or drink - so it's going to be no packed lunches, or other cheap food. I'm so glad I hate sport!

[Peter F]

I am a fool.

 

I have just read through that list and wondered why they singled out bats over all the other animals that could potentially be smuggled into a sporting venue. Do bats pose a specific threat that I am unaware of? Maybe there's a history of bat related mischief at Badminton competitions. Should I google it?

 

Then I realised.

[bruce]

electronic transmitting equipment

 

...so everyone has to leave their phone behind.

[themadhippy]

, large quantities of coins

so bring lots of notes,your going to need them to purchase the rip of priced food and drink in the venue as you cant take your own food and drink in

refrigerators

Ah bugger my fridge was looking forward to seeing the 100m dash finals

[kerry davies]

I would just love to see Dai Greene told he can't have a Welsh Ddraig Goch by a G4S bizzy. Blood on the Tracks.

 

This is nothing compared to the social cleansing whereby they are deporting Housing Benefit claimants to Stoke-on-Trent, using anti-terrorism laws against journalists on behalf of LOCOG, a private company, and have set up their own feudal state with a dedicated police and security service.

[Junior8]

, using anti-terrorism laws against journalists on behalf of LOCOG, a private company

 

Take heart Kerry they'll all be out of a job shortly - some, as I heard from the horse's mouth last week, as soon as September!

[dosxuk]

And I wonder how many people are going to try the "I'll just sneak it in in the bottom of my bag", only to get angry when they're found out as soon as their bag goes through the xray machine on the way in.

 

I do like how they ban "bottles or containers made of glass or any other material" - why not just ban bottles & containers?

 

No sign of leatherman style multi tools being banned from that list. I wonder if there's going to be a repeat of "from tomorrow, you can't bring that onto site", followed by the whole crew leaving their multitools on site.

[DeepSpacePenguin]

More to the point, why bother going to the olympics?

[DJ bradderz]

, bicycles,

 

the velodrome and mountain biking will be good then!!

[Brian]

The mistake everyone makes is thinking that the Olympics are something to do with sport. They're not. They are a commercial operation based around a brand and the protection of that brand.

[IRW]

motorcycles,

Nuts, and I was expecting to ride right into the stadiums... (not really, can't stand sport!)

 

On topic though- it astounds me that you are not allowed to take drinks into some of these places now- I experienced it for the first time when I went to see Take That at Wembly last summer. My wife and I bought two or three bottles of water and a bottle of lemonade before we went into the stadium, only to be told as we were going through the turnstiles that we would either have to chuck them or decant them into provided plastic pint glasses. Cue me then trying to balance them in a McDonalds style cardboard drinks tray all the way up to our seats at the top tier.

 

Edited to add:

In fact, don't Transport for London recommend you always carry a bottle of water with you on the tube??

[WiLL]

It's all so that you have to eat at the real reason for olympics. Which is: The world's largest McDonalds they are building on the site.

[Jivemaster]

Do these people really think that the people in the events will leave there mobile phones elsewhere? In reality I'd expect every person present to have at least one phone maybe two AND I'd expect huge amounts of data to be sent in the form of pictures. According to local information there is accommodation for all the athletes but no kitchens! Apparently everyone will have to eat out.

[DrummerJonny]

No Lighters?

 

Is the whole site non-smoking then? Or will the smokers just have to bring matches?

 

I guess they could argue it's promoting public health at a major sporting event, but then they're forcing people to dine at mcdonalds...

[themadhippy]

No Lighters

Wonder if it will be like the airports were you can by a lighter (and lots of flammable liquids at duty free prices ) once past the security checks.The Mc lympics lighter,1 time use,non refillable is available for £9.99 +vat inside the stadium only