Organisers to allow sacred Sikh kirpans during London Olympics

July 10, 2012 | Sports | Written by

London, July 10(ANI): The London Olympics Committee for Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has ordered security guards not to stop Sikhs carrying religious daggers from entry.

The ceremonial kirpan, which are knives up to six inches long, will be allowed as an article of faith, according to the LOCOG.

Games staff have been told that removing them from their sheaths would be ‘sacrilegious’.

The Sikh daggers are the only weapons not on the LOCOG’s list of banned items, which includes guns, other knives, pets and skateboards.

Former Flying Squad commander John O’Connor, however, has branded the dagger rule ‘ludicrous’.

“Anybody could put a turban on and walk in with one. It would be simple for a terrorist,” The Sun quoted O’Connor, as saying.

It is illegal to carry a blade longer than three inches in public, unless for good reason. (ANI)