Banners and leaflets which carry discriminatory or political implications will be banned from all Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong, organizers said on  Friday.

The ban will be enforced under the House Rules for Spectators for 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events, said John Breen, security coordinator for the equestrian events, at a press conference in the newly built Olympic equestrian venue in Sha Tin.

"The rules are drawn according to the guidelines of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)," he said, noting that the rules had been approved by the IOC and the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.

The ban also covers flags of nations or regions not represented at or hosting the equestrian events, according to the rules.

Breen said that violators will be removed from the venues, and those who commit crimes will be handed over to the police.

"I think most people who come to these events would hope nobody is allowed to spoil the fun and the purpose of the games," he said.

Benny Lau, senior security manager for the equestrian event, said organizers will deploy about 300 of their own security personnel at equestrian venues.

The Beijing Olympic equestrian events will start in Hong Kong from Aug. 9.

(Xinhua News Agency July 19, 2008)