Participating in London Olympics will be a shame, says former Olympian

Hockey Olympian Aslam Sher Khan today said that the Indian government, the IOA and the athletes should take a strong stand on Dow Chemical being associated with the London Olympics and the country should boycott the 2012 Games.

“It would be a shame for India and the IOA to take part in London Olympics while a company linked with 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy is being associated with it. Many countries in the past have boycotted Olympics. It’s time for India and its sportspersons to stand up,” said Aslam, a member of India’s 1975 hockey World Cup winning team.

“25 members of British Parliament protested on Dow’s association with London Games and why would not Indian government and IOA do the same and boycott the Olympics,” asked Aslam, who was here to attend the formation of Olympians Association of India.

Over 15,000 people died and lakhs disabled in 1984 when gas leaked out of a Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal. Dow bought Union Carbide in 2001.

Aslam slammed those athletes who had spoken against boycotting the Olympics.

“Those athletes who had spoken against boycott of London Olympics should be ashamed of themselves. Death of more than 15,000 people and disability to thousands is no joke. It is not about an athlete not taking part in an Olympics but it is about the respect of 1.2 billion people,” said Aslam, who had been a Member of Parliament.

“It will be a shame for the country if it participates in the London Olympics,” he added.

Ace shooter Gagan Narang had recently said that the athletes would only lose out by boycotting Olympics.

The former full back in the national hockey team accused International Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge for acting as “spokesperson of Dow”.

“Jacques Rogge is acting like a spokesperson of Dow Chemical. We have to fight now and show that India is no banana republic,” he said.