International Olympics Committee backs Dow Chemicals despite IOA pressure
The International Olympic Committee has asserted its support with one of its key sponsors, the Dow Chemical company from the United States.
The assertion was made by the IOC in response to a formal letter written by the Indian Olympic Association in an effort to pressurise the Committee to withdraw Dow’s sponsorship.
The partnership of the organisers of the London 2012 Olympic Games with the Dow Chemical company has been heavily criticised by the Indian quarters and some human rights groups within the United Kingdom as well because of the association of Dow with the
Bhopal gas disaster that took place in 1984.
The Indian city of Bhopal experienced one of the worst industrial disasters in the world when a gas leak from the factory of Union Carbide Corporation caused the deaths of several thousands of people in the region. Apart from the immediate deaths that occurred,
the after effects of the toxic gas continued to damage the health of the local people as many children were born with birth defects.
Union Carbide was later owned by Dow Chemical and some monetary compensation paid to the Indian government as well as the local residents of Bhopal.
However, the government of India as well as the victims claimed that the compensation paid was not enough compared to the losses suffered and more was demanded but Dow has not been able to pay off its liabilities.
The chief of the IOC, Jacques Rogge expressed himself to the acting president of the IOA, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, in the following manner, “The Olympic Movement sympathizes with the grief of the victims' families and regrets the ongoing suffering people face.
The IOC and LOCOG were aware of the Bhopal tragedy when discussing the partnership with Dow...Dow did not have any ownership stake in Union Carbide until 16 years after the accident and 12 years after the $470 million compensation agreement was approved by
the Indian Supreme Court.”
After the IOC communicated its stance, the IOA released a statement which said it was not convinced with the take of the IOC on the matter. Apart from that, the IOA is also waiting from an official response by the government of India on the issue.
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