By IANS,
Beijing : Fans hoping to catch a glimpse of star basketball player Yao Ming will be disappointed as a senior security official said that the player would be kept well away from the crowds when he is not on court.
Cao Dongxiang, a senior officer with Beijing’s public security bureau, who is in charge of Olympic venue security, said that of the 28 sports being contested at this summer’s Games, basketball and football have been given the highest security risk rating.
Zhou Bing, deputy director of the Wukesong Indoor Stadium which will host the basketball competitions, told China Daily Thursday that four separate entrances will be used for spectators, press, athletes and officials making it impossible for the fans to get Ming’s autographs.
“If fans want to see Yao Ming or any of the other NBA superstars, they will have to wait until they are on court,” he said.
A police cordon will be set up several hundred meters from the athletes’ entrance to stop fans getting too close.