PERMITTED: Sikh's carry a Kirpan, a small sheathed dagger, as an article of faith. They will be allowed at next year's London 2012 Olympics
Friday 29th July 2011: LONDON 2012 organizers have insisted they will not ban ceremonial daggers, carried as articles of faith, at next year's Olympics.
Sikh sports fan Gurdev Singh was banned from entering Lord's cricket ground - venue to 2012 archery events - to watch this week's Test match between England and India.
Sikhs are allowed to carry a small ceremonial dagger, known as a Kirpan, under provisions set out in the 1988 Criminal Justice Act, although the laws are vaguer about private property.
The sheathed scimitar, which is attached to a cloth belt and normally worn discreetly under clothes, is one of five "articles of faith" that baptised Sikhs must carry at all times.
Maylebone Cricket Club officials have since admitted their mistake and apologized to Mr Singh and Locog have also clarified their position.
"At Games-time, small symbolic ceremonial daggers, with a maximum blade length of three inches, carried for religious reasons will be allowed," said a statement.
© Sportsbeat 2011