Bhopal gas victims write to IOC to reconsider Dow sponsorship

Two groups fighting for justice to the Bhopal gas tragedy victims Wednesday urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the 2012 London Olympics Organising Committee to reconsider Dow Chemicals' sponsorship of the mega sporting event.

In a letter, the Bhopal Gas Peedith Sangharsh Sahayog Samiti and the Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila Udyog Sanghathan urged the IOC not to take any decision based on the one-sided account from Dow Chemicals, which bought Union Carbide that was responsible for the world's worst industrial disaster in Bhopal.

"For maintaining the spirit of the Olympic Movement and for upholding the sanctity of the Olympic Charter and the Code of Ethics, we urge the IOC and the LOCOG (Organising Committee of London Olympics) to rescind that decision because we firmly believe that the said decision was made on the basis of false and misleading information furnished to you by Dow," the letter written to IOC said.

The groups said the statement aimed at giving complete information to the IOC and LOCOG about "all" facts related to the case and blamed Dow for "practicing and condoning racial discrimination, resorting to falsehood, bribery and intimidation to promote its business interests."

The letter also quoted from the Olympic Code of Ethics, pointing out that the Games was not allowed to "be involved with firms or persons whose activity or reputation is inconsistent with the principles set out in the Olympic Charter and the present Code."