NEW DELHI, Feb 27 � After IOA failed to convince the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to drop Dow Chemicals as the London Games� sponsor, a �dismayed� Indian Government has stepped in to ask the IOC to �go beyond lesser considerations� and cancel the deal.
In a letter to IOC President Jacques Rogge, the Sports Ministry has sought Dow�s removal as Olympic sponsor. Dow currently owns Union Carbide, the company responsible for the 1984 Bhopal Gas tragedy.
The move comes after the IOC refused to entertain pleas by the Indian Olympic Association.
�We cherish and celebrate the noble ideals of the Olympic movement. India stands firmly committed to these ideals and the values they promote of friendship, unity, brotherhood and compassion,� the letter stated.
�We strongly believe that there is no better medium than sports to inculcate and foster the feeling of friendship and solidarity among the people of the world. This being so we are dismayed that the IOC has not respected the sentiments of a large group of stakeholders including Olympians and withdrawn its association with Dow Chemicals,� said the letter signed by Rahul Bhatnagar, joint secretary in the Ministry.
