The issue of Sport Minister Vijay Goel’s alleged misbehaviour at the ongoing Rio Olympics echoed in the Rajya Sabha with Opposition members demanding his immediate repatriation.
“Since last night, all national tv channels are showing the conduct of our Sports Minister. He has gone to Brazil. The team has said that it is shameful conduct by the Sports Minister. We request the Prime Minister to recall him immediately. It is about the prestige of nation, not Sports Minister,” Congress MP Partap Singh Bajwa said amid chanting of “Khel Mantri Shameful”.
Yesterday, organisers at the Rio Olympics threatened to cancel the accreditation of Goel and withdraw privileges offered to him if unaccredited people accompanying him do not end their "aggressive and rude" behaviour.
In a scathing letter to India's chef-de-mission Rakesh Gupta, the Rio Olympic Organising Committee said that Goel was trying to bring other non-accredited people at the accredited areas of the Games venues.
Goel, however, today rejected allegations of ‘misbehaviour’ levelled against his entourage saying “protocol has been followed and that the reaction by the Rio panel appeared to be a misunderstanding”.
“I don't know who wrote the letter and what are his capacities and post. The letter written to Chef-de-Mission (Rakesh Gupta) states that they have some issue from our staff members, regarding misbehavior or access. I don't know any such things and they have not written against me, the letter also does not have anything against the sports minister,” the Minister said.
Opposition wants Sports Min recalled from Rio
Goel, who took charge last month, is in Rio to cheer for Indian contingent and to ensure that their requirements are met. His wife has accompanied him at events, where the minister has been spotted clicking selfies with Indian athletes.
When boxer Manoj Kumar won a match, Goel whipped out his phone and was clicking a selfie even before the sportsman had spoken to the media or completed the mandatory dope test.
