Sports Ministry asks IOA to raise Dow's Olympic sponsorship with IOC

With the Dow Chemicals sponsorship of next year's London Olympics causing outrage among Bhopal Gas tragedy victims, the sports ministry today asked the IOA to raise the issue with the International Olympic Committee.

In a letter addressed to IOA acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra, the Ministry expressed concern about the status of the contentious company as the official worldwide Olympic partner.

Dow Chemicals, which last year in July signed an agreement with the IOC, is the company that took over Union Carbide, responsible for the Bhopal Gas tragedy that killed over 15,000 people and disabled lakhs.

"The matter of Dow's liability, in respect of the Bhopal Gas tragedy victims is sub-judice and that the Government of India has itself filed a suit against the company. Strong public sentiment exists in this matter and a number of eminent ex-Olympians have also raised concerns," the letter stated.

"In the light of the above, and the fact that under the agreement between Dow and IOC, Dow will partner IOC and National Olympic Committees around the world, including India. We would advise the Indian Olympic Association to raise this matter immediately with the IOC while keeping the government informed," it added.

Dow is an official worldwide Olympic partner and the official chemistry company for the Olympic movement upto 2020 Games and as part of their agreement with the IOC they will also partner the National Olympic Committees around the world, including India.