The International Olympic Committee has encouraged athletes and other participants at the 2012 London Games to post comments onsocial media platforms or websites and tweet during the Olympics, but noted that athletes may be sanctioned or barred from competing if guidelines are not followed.

Among the guidelines set by the IOC are:

* Any postings, blogs or tweets should be in a first-person, diary type format and should not be in the role of a journalist - i.e. they must not report on competition or comment on the activities of other participants or accredited persons, or disclose any information which is confidential or private in relation to any other person or organisation.

* A tweet is regarded in this respect as a short blog and the same guidelines are in effect, again, in first-person, diary-type format.

* Postings, blogs and tweets should at all times conform to the Olympic spirit and fundamental principles of Olympism as contained in the Olympic Charter, be dignified and in good taste, and not contain vulgar or obscene words or images.

* Participants and other accredited persons can post still photographs taken within Olympic Venues for personal use. It is not permitted to commercialise, sell or otherwise distribute these photographs.

* Athletes cannot post any video and/or audio of the events, competitions or any other activities which occur at Olympic Venues.

* Photos of the athletes themselves or other accredited persons in the Olympic Village can be posted, but if any other persons appear in the photo, their prior permission must be obtained by the person posting such photo.

* Athletes must not use the Olympic Symbol - i.e. the five interlocking rings used alone, which is the property of the IOC, on their postings, blogs or tweets on any social media platforms or on any websites.

* Athletes are not permitted to promote any brand, product or service within a posting, blog or tweet on any social media platforms or on any websites

The IOC said that the accreditations of any organisation or person accredited at the Olympic Games may be withdrawn without notice, at the discretion of the IOC, for purposes of ensuring compliance with these Guidelines. The IOC reserves all its right to take any other appropriate measures with respect to infringements of these Guidelines, including issuing a Take Down Notice, taking legal action for damages, and imposing other sanctions.

The games-time rules -- which apply from July 16 to Aug. 15 next year -- are aimed at protecting athletes and the rights of Olympic broadcasters and sponsors.

The Associated Press reports that the IOC has drawn up the rules in the aftermath of violations during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

The AP notes that that at the Winter Olympics, United States Alpine skier Julia Mancuso was asked to stop online merchandise sales after her double silver medal-winning performances generated interest in her official website.

The Olympic Games will be held in London on July 27 to Aug. 2012.According to the official site of the Olympic Games, http://www.london2012.com/, construction has been completed on four venues on the Olympic Park have been completed, more than a year ahead of the London 2012 Games. Organizers have implemented a lottery-style allocation system for tickets at the games. Over 6.6 million ticket applications were submitted by the British public, but organizers only sold 6.6 million tickets.

The IOC said that during the games it will be monitoring all online content posted by athletes.