Indians step back from the brink of boycotting Olympic Games

The prospect of a possible boycott by India of the London 2012 Games has receded after the country’s Olympic chief insisted there would be no vote on the issue.

VK Malhotra, acting president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), said anger among some athletes about Dow Chemical sponsoring London 2012 would be discussed but that a boycott was not on the agenda.

Dow Chemical, who are sponsoring the ‘wrap’ of the Olympic Stadium, own Union Carbide, the chemical company responsible for the Bhopal gas leak disaster in 1984 when thousands lost their lives.

“There is no question of India boycotting the London Olympics. We are not boycotting the Olympic Games and that is very clear on IOA’s part,” Malhotra said. “But we want to express in black and white that there has been opposition in the country with the London Games being associated with Dow Chemical. We have to take into account their sentiments.

“I can’t say now whether we are going to ask them to withdraw Dow Chemical. That’s what we are going to decide.

“Let us wait for two or three days. But we are not boycotting the London Olympics.”

Reports last week suggested that a vote on a boycott would take place at a meeting on 5 December, but Malhotra said there would just be a discussion on a petition protesting about Dow’s sponsorship of London 2012.

The International Olympic Committee insists a boycott was never a possibility.

An IOC spokesman said: “Talk of a boycott is misguided and premature.” The issue also looks to have become a political football in India where Malhotra is a member of the opposition party.

Malhotra yesterday launched a fierce attack on the country’s sports minister, Ajay Maken, after he had stated the need to get rid of people who ran sports bodies as personal fiefdoms.

Malhotra responded by saying: “A self-centred and egotistic sports minister is playing a dangerous game which will destroy the Olympic foundation in this country.”

Meanwhile, tickets for the 2012 football tournament go back on sale today.

Some 1.5 million tickets will be available to buy from 11am for the tournament, including for matches involving the men’s and women’s Great Britain sides.

Prices start at £20 for a ticket although there are reductions for the young and those over 60. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Team GB men’s side, being coached by Stuart Pearce, will play their first group game at Old Trafford on Thursday 26 July – the day before the opening ceremony of the Games.

This will be followed by Wembley Stadium on Sunday 29 July and the final group game at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Wednesday 1 August.

The women’s team is being coached by Hope Powell and kick off their tournament on Wednesday 25 July at the Millennium Stadium, and their second match on Saturday 28 July, also in Cardiff. Their final group game will be on Tuesday 31 July at Wembley Stadium.

The matches involving the other sides in the Olympic football tournament will be decided at a draw on 24 April.

Other venues involved are Hampden Park, City of Coventry Stadium, and Newcastle’s St James’ Park.