New Delhi, Dec 12: The IOA will put forth the sentiments of the people of India against Dow Chemical, one of London Games sponsors, but how to do it will be decided by the General Body of the apex sports body, its secretary general Randhir Singh said today.
Randhir indicated that the IOA would not boycott the 2012 London Olympics as demanded by 1984 Bhopal gas leak case protesters and some Olympians but said it would let the International Olympic Council (IOC) know about the strong protests from sections of Indian people.
“The sentiments of the people should be put forth. We cannot ignore them. We have informed the IOC of the protests in India (about Dow Chemical being a sponsor),” Randhir, also an IOC member, told reporters here.
“IOA president has issued a statement in this issue. But the final decision and modality of how to put forth the sentiments of people will be taken at the General Body Meeting on December 15-16. We will write to IOC if need be,” Randhir said when asked about the growing demand that India should boycott the London Games if Dow remains a sponsor.
IOA acting president V K Malhotra has recently said that it was not considering boycotting the London Games but will make it be known to the IOC about the protests in India in the Dow Chemical issue.
Randhir refused to comment on London Olympics Organising Committee Sebastian Coe's defence of Dow's association as well top shooter Gagan Narang's comments that an Olympic boycott will only hurt the athletes.
“I don't want to comment on this,” he said after a meeting of the Arjuna Awardees Association.
Asked about IOC chief Jacques Rogge's comments that India should talk to the athletes first before thinking of boycotting the Olympics, Randhir said, “Gagan Narang has expressed his view and we are talking to the athletes.”
