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IOA has repeatedly expressed its opposition to Dow Chemicals as one of the sponsors for the London Olympic Games, because of its ownership of the infamous Union Carbide which was responsible for the worst industrial disaster in India.
IOA had urged the IOC and London Games Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) to withdraw Dow as Games Sponsors. However, in a letter to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), IOC today said that its relationship with Dow Chemicals is well over 30 years and "we were aware of the Bhopal tragedy when discussing the partnership with Dow".
In its letter to IOA acting President Vijay Kumar Malhotra, IOC chief Jacques Rogge said that "IOC recognizes that the Bhopal tragedy in 1984 was horrific event for India and the world. The Olympic Movement sympathizes with the grief of the victims` families and regrets the ongoing suffering people face in the region."
"The IOC and LOCOG were aware of the Bhopal tragedy when discussing the partnership with Dow. Dow had no connection with the Bhopal tragedy. Dow did not have any ownership stake in Union Carbide until 16 years after the accident and 12 years after the USD 470 million compensation agreement was approved by the Indian Supreme Court," he said.
"The court has upheld this agreement twice since then, in 1991 and 2007. We understand that this is being reviewed yet a third time by the India Supreme Court and we are aware of Dow`s position in this mater, and of the sensitivities of all parties."
"We only enter into partnerships with organizations that we believe work in accordance with the values of the Olympic Movement. Dow is a global leader in its field of business and is committed to good corporate citizenship. The company has supported the Olympic Movement for over 30 years, providing support and bringing industry-leading expertise and innovation to the Games," Rogge said.
"We do hope that the Indian Olympic Association is recognizing this, while we appreciate the difficult situation you are facing in your country."
Reacting to the letter, Malhotra said that IOA was not convinced by the IOC`s stand. "We want that IOC should understand and appreciate the feelings and sentiments of the victims and drop Dow as sponsors," he said.
He also wanted the Union government to come out with a clear stand on this issue. "We have yet to receive any reply from the Government, while IOC has written to us," he said.
Malhotra said while Dow Chemical operates in India with the full knowledge and permission of the Government, it is throwing the ball into the IOA`s court when this sponsorship issue is raised. "Government should come clean on this issue," he added.
The survivors of the Bhopal gas tragedy, including children, have been pitched in a battle against the Games` organisers after the IOC decided to partner with the company for the London Olympics and the subsequent Winter Olympics in 2014, the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Olympics.
Following the protests by the victims, the sport ministry also stepped in and expressed its concern over the status of the company as the official worldwide Olympic partner and urged the IOC to keep the sentiments of Bhopal Gas tragedy victims in mind and drop Dow Chemicals as sponsors of the Games.
Dow Chemicals is the parent company of Union Carbide, which was responsible for the death of around 3,000 persons and permanent disability of many during the 1984 gas leak at its plant in Bhopal.
