The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has written to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to state that though it appreciated the latter's concern about the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy, Dow Chemicals had no connection with the episode.
The IOA had written twice in recent weeks to the IOC to remove Dow as one of the sponsors of the London Olympic Games and had also urged the London Games Organising Committee (LOCOG) to do the same following protests in India and abroad about the company's association with the Games.
In a letter to the IOA acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra, the IOC President, Jacques Rogge, has said: “IOC recognises that the Bhopal tragedy in 1984 was (a) horrific event for India and the world. The Olympic Movement sympathises with the grief of the victims' families and regrets the ongoing suffering people face in the region”
The IOC chief said that the IOC was aware of the Bhopal gas tragedy when it entered into an agreement with Dow. The company is a world-wide partner of the Olympic Movement since 2010.
“The IOC and LOCOG were aware of the Bhopal tragedy when discussing the partnership with Dow. Dow had no connection with the Bhopal tragedy,” Mr. Rogge wrote.
“Dow did not have any ownership stake in Union Carbide until 16 years after the accident and 12 years after the US $470 million compensation agreement was approved by the Indian Supreme Court. 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 Indian Supreme Court and we are aware of Dow's position in this matter, and of the sensitivities of all parties,” the letter stated.
Mr. Rogge said that Dow had supported the Olympic Movement for over 30 years “bringing industry-leading expertise and innovation to the Games.”
The IOC chief said, “we do hope that the Indian Olympic Association is recognising this, while we appreciate the difficult situation you are facing in your country.”
Reacting to the letter, Mr. Malhotra said the 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.
Mr. Malhotra wanted the Union Government to come out with a clear stand on this issue. “We have yet to receive any reply from the Government,” he said.
He said while Dow was operating in India with the permission of the Government, the latter was “throwing the ball into the IOA court” when the sponsorship issue was raised.
