Misrepresentation of facts is wrong: Dow Chemical

Amid outrage among Bhopal gas tragedy victims over Dow Chemical's sponsorship of 2012 London Olympics, the company today said "misrepresentation of facts" is wrong and "obscures" facts related to the disaster. 

Dow Chemical had acquired Union Carbide, the entity that caused the gas tragedy in Bhopal, killing over 15,000 people and disabling many others.

"... allowing a misrepresentation of facts and to rewrite history as some are trying to do is not only wrong, but it sends an unfortunate and inaccurate message that obscures the facts rather than clarifies the Bhopal tragedy," a Dow Chemical spokesperson said in an e-mailed statement to PTI.

In July 2010, Dow Chemical had inked the sponsorship deal with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the London Games next year.

According to the statement, "Attempts to misdirect responsibility do not change the fact that Dow Chemical has never had a connection with the disaster or its aftermath."

"Therefore, we remain committed to assisting London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), the IOC and the UK in presenting a successful and sustainable 2012 Olympic games," it added.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has received representations from several Olympians and NGOs protesting the organisers' link with Dow Chemical.

In the wake of rising dissent, IOA today said it would convey the concerns of the victims and Olympians to organisers of the 2012 London games regarding its sponsorship deal with Dow Chemical.

The spokesperson said that Dow Chemical has been a part of the Olympic movement for more than 30 years and are are pleased to have the opportunity to make a broader and deeper commitment to the worldwide Olympic movement through 2020.

"We believe Dow is perfectly matched to the vision of the Olympic Movement, and will help the Olympic Games fulfil its goal of a Sustainable Games," the company statement noted.