India Contemplating Boycotting Opening & Closing Ceremonies of London 2012 in Protest over Dow

India is flirting with the idea of boycotting the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics as it plans to intensify its protest against Dow Chemicals’ sponsorship of the summer games.

India will take the decision on whether to boycott the ceremonies after it gets a clear reply from the organizers about Dow issue. 

According to reports, Indian officials will not only skip the opening and closing ceremonies, but will also boycott all official ceremonies related to the event. 

However, IOA has confirmed that the athletes will not join the boycott. 

Indian Olympic Association secretary general Randhir Singh said that the IOA has not taken any decision to boycott the Games. 

“IOA has not taken any such decision. We don’t want the athletes to suffer. We are here for the interest of the athletes. Athletes have been training for so many years, we have not taken any such decision,” said Singh. 

The Indian government had on February 27 lodged a formal complaint against Dow’s sponsorship of London Olympics with the Union Sports Ministry writing to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 

The Union Sports Ministry has strongly protested against Dow sponsoring the Games.

by Ismail Uddin