Kalmadi hits out at those who pulled out

NEW DELHI: Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi took potshots at celebrities who pulled out of the Olympic Torch relay here on Thursday and said those who skipped the run have missed an opportunity to engrave their names in history. 

“Those who pulled out have missed an opportunity. They lost the chance to lay hands on the hallowed torch. It was they who missed out something, we did not,” he said.
“I thank all the top sportsmen who ran today,” he added.

Earlier, cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar, football captain Bhaichung Bhutia, former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, shooter Jaspal Rana and sarod player Ayan Ali pulled out of the event citing various reasons.

With worldwide protests over China’s stand on Tibet, the torch run too had been a beset by protests and Kalmadi was relieved by the successful Torch relay.

The IOA president asserted that with the success of torch relay, India has sent a strong message worldwide and will have a great chance of hosting the 2020 Olympic Games.

“With this, we sent the message that we are ready to host the 2020 Olympic Games,” he said. India will host the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010, the biggest event the country will host.