Two local pro-Tibetan protesters was thrown out of the Olympics equestrian events soon after the start of the competition Saturday after they unfurled a Tibetan flag, dpa reported.
University student, Christina Chan, and an accomplice, Tsang Chun-ying, were ejected by police and security officers for breaking rules at the two equestrian venues that ban the display of the Tibetan flag, political slogans and commercial advertising.
Chan was seated in the front row at the start of the dressage competition that began around 6:30 am in the Sha Tin district of the city.
She initially displayed a sign showing the Canadian flag but police and security personnel swooped when she unveiled a Tibetan flag.
Chan and Tsang were bundled away after they refused to leave. Chan said later that they had also planned to unveil a banner with the slogan, "End one-party rule in China" during the events.
"She was sort of disturbing other spectators around her, which is against the house rules," said equestrian event spokesman Mark Pinkstone.
Lam Woon-kwong, head of the government's Equestrian Company that is overseeing the events, strongly criticised Chan's actions saying she would be banned for the rest of the competition.
Lam said: "The Olympics happen once every four years. And she deliberately takes actions that violate the rules and disturbed other people. We think her action is very irresponsible, so we don't welcome her to return to this venue to watch any other events."
In a separate incident, a man was asked to remove his shirt before entering the Sha Tin venue because it was bearing the slogans "democracy" and "human rights".
In May, Chan was taken into 'protective custody' by police during a pro-Tibetan demonstration during the Hong Kong leg of the Olympic torch relay. Police said she was put into a police van for her own safety after a clash with pro-China supporters. She was later released without charge.