Milkha Singh responds to Salim Khan's criticism.
There has been a lot of controversy surrounding Salman Khan’s appointment as goodwill ambassador of India for Rio Olympics 2016. Sprint legend Milkha Singh had slammed Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) decision by saying that someone from the sporting world should have been given the honour. Salman's father, Salim Khan had then criticised the veteran athlete, reacting to which Milkha said: “I said the right thing that people who've given their blood and sweat for nation, should be the ambassador. It's a free world, I can say whatever I want and if Salimji has said something about me, I don't mind it.”
Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt had also raised eyebrows over IOA's decision to appoint the 50-year-old Bollywood superstar as the brand ambassador.
Salim Khan defended his son's appointment and also took potshots at Milkha Singh. "Salman Khan may not have competed but is an A level swimmer cyclist and weight lifter. Sportsmen are performing because of sports lovers like us," Salim wrote.
Milkha, whose life was turned into a blockbuster film "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", had said that sports personalities like PT Usha should have been considered by IOA instead of importing 'a person from Bollywood'.
Reacting to this Salim said, "Milkhaji it is not Bollywood, it is the Indian Film Industry and that too the largest in the world. The same industry which resurrected you from fading away in oblivion."
Milkha, who won gold in 1958 and 1962 Asian Games, said the fact that no Indian sportsperson had been picked up as ambassador saddened him. "I want to make it clear that I am not against Salman Khan, but the decision of the IOA is wrong and the Government should intervene in the matter. This is for the first time I am seeing a Bollywood hero being made goodwill ambassador for Olympics. I want to ask has Bollywood ever made any sportsperson an ambassador for any of their mega event?" he said.
"I want that the decision to name Salman Khan as ambassador should be revised," Milkha added.
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