London's wacky banned items list
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Political statements
Political statements
IOC officials insist The Games are apolitical (Miracle on Ice, anyone?) so London organizers are especially weary of any clothing or signage with a subversive or controversial message. That means your Che Guevara T-shirt and Rastafarian hat probably are not welcome. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)ASSOCIATED PRESS - 2/8
guerrilla marketing
Guerrilla Marketing
Along those same lines, no commercialism will be allowed either. Officials will enforce a strict dress code to ensure that antics like the Bavaria beer dancing ladies at the 2010 World Cup and any other "ambush marketing" tactics will be squashed. (AP Photo/Vincent Jannink)ASSOCIATED PRESS - 3/8
Large hats
Large hats
Organizers are also cracking down on large hats that may obstruct the view of other spectators, or draw attention to oneself. So large, elaborate lids like the one Princess Beatrice of York wore to last year's royal wedding are out (thank goodness). (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)Pascal Le Segretain - 4/8
Noise makers
Noise makers
Yes, the star (or detriment, depending on your opinion) of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the vuvuzela, is not welcome in London. Neither are its cousins the air horn, whistle, klaxon or drums. (AFP PHOTO/GUENTER SCHIFFMANN)AFP/Getty Images - 5/8
Sporting equipment
Sporting equipment
If you scored tickets to the women's tennis competition and wanted to bring a ball or racquet for Maria Sharapova to sign; or you wanted to pass some time in the village with a game of frisbee, we've got some bad news for you. Balls, frisbees, racquets and other sporting equipment are strictly forbidden in and around Olympics venues. (AP Photo/Paulo Duarte)ASSOCIATED PRESS - 6/8
Beer
Alcohol
Kind of a no-brainer here but you can't bring your own Stella or Boddington's into venues with you. You're at the mercy of the vendors at that specific venue, and it will likely have Heineken. (AP Photo/Paul Thomas)ASSOCIATED PRESS - 7/8
Large lenses
Large photo/video equipment
Not even Bono would get away with toting that telephoto lens into a venue without a media credential. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)ASSOCIATED PRESS - 8/8
bottled water
Bottled water
Any liquid or aerosol substance greater than 100 milliliters (about 3.3 ounces) will be confiscated, so don't plan on bringing bottled water, sunscreen (which should not be a problem), lotion or hair gel bigger than travel size. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)Toby Talbot
If you're heading to London, make sure to leave the Che Guevara T-shirt and vuvuzela at home; organizers are cracking down on anything that could cause a disturbance to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Aside from the usual suspects (weapons, glass, masks) we take a look at some of the more odd prohibited items (Tip: Don't bring anything big).
- By John Parker