22 Nov 2011

Ceremonial Sikh daggers to be allowed at Olympics

4:04 pm on 22 November 2011

Sikh athletes and spectators will be allowed to wear ceremonial daggers into London Olympic venues next year, despite intense security arrangements.

Games organisers said the policy has been set by Games security, as part of a multi-faith approach to the event.

The Kirpan, or ceremonial dagger, will have to be presented at security, but it will not be unsheathed. It will have to be worn beneath clothing.

Britain has 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.

The Olympics start on 27 July next year.