Scots cross over Olympic Saltire ban

Published on Tuesday 5 August 2008 10:34

SCOTS cheering on their country's sporting heroes at the Olympics may not be able to wave Saltire flags inside Games' venues, it was claimed today.

A code of conduct for spectators laid down by the Organising Committee outlaws flags other than those of Olympic members.

Although Great Britain is a member country, Scotland is not a member in its own right.

Nationalist MSP Jamie Hepburn is writing to the International Olympic Committee and the British Olympic Association, urging them to challenge the rule – which would also ban English, Welsh and Northern Irish fans from waving their country's national flags.

In addition it would prevent the Tibetan flag from being displayed at events.

Mr Hepburn said: "Fans should be allowed to show their support by waving the national flag of their choice.

"It will be a shame if fans are not able to echo that by waving Saltires from the stands. I will be writing to the British Olympic Association and the International Olympic Committee and urging them to challenge this ruling."