New Delhi: London Olympics has taken a new twist with Indian officials deciding to partially boycott the 2012 London Olympics to protest against Dow Chemicals, the chief sponsor of the event. It has been learned that Indian officials will not only skip the opening and closing ceremonies, but also boycott all official ceremonies related to the quadrennial event.
The athletes however will participate in the opening and closing ceremonies. Meanwhile Indian Olympic Association Secretary General Randhir Singh said that the IOA has not taken any decision to boycott the Games.
"IOA has not taken any such decision. We don't want the athletes to suffer. We are here for the interest of the athletes. Athletes have been training for so many years, we have not taken any such decision," said Singh.
The Union Sports Ministry has strongly protested against Dow sponsoring the Games and also did write a formal letter to International Olympic Committee to drop Dow as the sponsor of the event, which is alleged to be responsible for Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
The IOC however took a stand for Dow and said that it was not responsible for the Bhopal gas tragedy as it had no ownership stakes in Union Carbide till 2000, and they appreciate fact that IOA is so much concerned for the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy.
IOC Chief Jacques Rogge in a letter to IOA acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra said, "IOC recognises that the Bhopal tragedy in 1984 was horrific event for India and the world. The Olympic Movement sympathises with the grief of the victims' families and regrets the ongoing suffering people face in the region."
By Indian Sports News Network
