Sikhs Allowed To Wear Knives During The 2010 Olympics

It has been approved for baptized Sikhs to wear their kirpans in all Olympic venues during the Winter Games in Vancouver this winter.

The kirpans, small daggers, are part of the religious wardrobe of devout Sikhs. Strict followers of the religion have unshorn hair, wear the kirpan and a silver bangle, a wooden comb and Kachera, long underwear reports vancouverite.com. Those who have been baptized into the faith are required to wear the 5 articles. A baptized Sikh is considered a Khalsa Sikh, a saint-soldier. They are considered a saint first and a soldier only when it is deemed necessary. Those who are requesting to carry their kirpans must also be wearing the other four articles of their faith. The kirpan may not exceed 7.5 inches and the blade must be less then four inches. The kirpan must be worn in the Sikh tradition, secured inside a sheath and attached to a fabric belt worn across the torso. It must also be worn under clothing and not easily accessible.