الرئيسية
By Reuters
LONDON (Reuters) - Sikh athletes and spectators will be
allowed to wear ceremonial daggers into London Olympic venues next year,
despite the intense security arrangements, as part of a multi-faith
approach to the Games.
"We want to make sure the Games are accessible to everyone," a spokesperson for organizers LOCOG said on Monday.
"The
policy has been set by the LOCOG security team, who have liaised with
wider stakeholders, and is part of our multi-faith approach.
"The
Kirpan (ceremonial dagger) will be presented at security, but it will
not be unsheathed. Wearing the Kirpan alongside the other articles of
faith is both an everyday occurrence for Sikhs and an important part of
observing their faith."
Organizers said the Kirpan would have to
be worn beneath clothing and Sikhs carrying it would also have to
demonstrate the four other articles of their faith that they must wear
at all times.
Britain boasts the largest Sikh community outside
of India with 336,000 followers recorded in a 2001 census, although Sikh
community figures say the real figure is more than double that.
Organizers
have recruited 193 chaplains, representing nine faiths, to assist some
17,000 athletes and officials attending the Games as well as up to
200,000 staff and volunteers and 20,000 media.
The International
Olympic Committee requests facilities for five faiths - Christians,
Muslims, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists -- but London 2012 organizers have
added Sikh, Zoroastrian, Jain and Baha'i to the list.
The
Olympics, starting on July 27 next year, represent the biggest security
challenge since World War Two for a country that remains on high alert
for a terrorist attack.
Defense Minister Philip Hammond said this
month that all necessary measures would be taken, including possibly
the use of surface to air missiles, to defend against an airborne
attack.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Mark Meadows; For Reuters sports blog Left Field go to: http://blogs.reuters.com/sport)
LONDON (Reuters) - Sikh athletes and spectators will be
allowed to wear ceremonial daggers into London Olympic venues next year,
despite the intense security arrangements, as part of a multi-faith
approach to the Games.
"We want to make sure the Games are accessible to everyone," a spokesperson for organizers LOCOG said on Monday.
"The
policy has been set by the LOCOG security team, who have liaised with
wider stakeholders, and is part of our multi-faith approach.
"The
Kirpan (ceremonial dagger) will be presented at security, but it will
not be unsheathed. Wearing the Kirpan alongside the other articles of
faith is both an everyday occurrence for Sikhs and an important part of
observing their faith."
Organizers said the Kirpan would have to
be worn beneath clothing and Sikhs carrying it would also have to
demonstrate the four other articles of their faith that they must wear
at all times.
Britain boasts the largest Sikh community outside
of India with 336,000 followers recorded in a 2001 census, although Sikh
community figures say the real figure is more than double that.
Organizers
have recruited 193 chaplains, representing nine faiths, to assist some
17,000 athletes and officials attending the Games as well as up to
200,000 staff and volunteers and 20,000 media.
The International
Olympic Committee requests facilities for five faiths - Christians,
Muslims, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists -- but London 2012 organizers have
added Sikh, Zoroastrian, Jain and Baha'i to the list.
The
Olympics, starting on July 27 next year, represent the biggest security
challenge since World War Two for a country that remains on high alert
for a terrorist attack.
Defense Minister Philip Hammond said this
month that all necessary measures would be taken, including possibly
the use of surface to air missiles, to defend against an airborne
attack.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Mark Meadows; For Reuters sports blog Left Field go to: http://blogs.reuters.com/sport)