As the first day of the Games got under way yesterday, there was little excitement at the three Beijing parks designated as protest zones.
Authorities had promised to allow protests in the Ritan, Purple Bamboo and Beijing World parks, but the mainlanders who tried to use the privilege were disappointed.
A guard at Ritan Park said a man tried to unfurl a banner in an apparent attempt to protest in the morning. When he was stopped by the park guards, he called the police himself because he thought it was legal to protest there.
The guard said the man left on his own and was not arrested. His reason for protesting was not known and the park did not comment.
There was little going on at either Ritan or Purple Bamboo parks in the afternoon.
Officials have made it clear that only approved protests will be allowed in the parks, and so far none have been seen.
The police declined to say whether any protests had been approved, but a spokeswoman for Purple Bamboo park, Wang Jing, said the park had not been told of any to be held there.