Dow row: Athletes haven't been asked to boycott London Games, says Maken
Clarifying that the government has not asked athletes to boycott the London Olympics over the Dow Chemicals sponsorship, Sports Minister Ajay Maken today said that the matter has been pursued at a diplomatic level with the host nation.
"India has not asked its athletes to boycott the London Olympics over Dow Chemicals sponsorship," Maken said in response to a question by N K Singh in the the Rajya Sabha.
"The matter had also been taken up through diplomatic channel with the UK government," the Minister added.
While the UK government has taken the position that the sponsorship by Dow was an arrangement between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Dow Chemicals Company, the world governing body as well as the London Organising Committee have indicated their inability to drop Dow as a sponsor of the upcoming Games.
Maken said the matter will be pursued widely through the countries' Missions in other parts of the world, which are members of the IOC.
"In view of the response (by the UK govt) so far, it has been agreed that the matter should continue to be taken up to create a wider awareness about strong and legitimate view on this issue widely through our Missions in countries which are members of the IOC to the host Government(s) as well as the Olympic Association of the host country," said Maken.
He also said that the move would help in raising the diplomatic awareness on this subject and create a wider understanding of our position.
"It would serve to remind the rest
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