Crook like Kalmadi should be barred from Olympics: Milkha Singh

Sprint legend Milkha Singh on Wednesday welcomed the Delhi High Court's decision to bar Suresh Kalmadi from attending the Olympic Games opening ceremony, saying that his presence in London on July 27 would have been a "shame" for the country.

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"A crook like him should not be allowed to go to the Olympic Games. That would be a shame for the country," Milkha told PTI.

"It's good, the High Court has barred him (from attending the opening ceremony). I welcome the decision," the "Flying Sikh" said.

The Delhi High Court had earlier restrained sacked CWG Organising Committee chief Kalmadi from proceeding to London to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, saying that his participation can cause "embarrassment" to the nation.

The bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw also barred Kalmadi from leaving the country till July 27.

"From the national point of view, we have decided the matter and he should not participate in the opening ceremony of the Olympics. His participation can cause embarrassment to the country," the bench said, adding, "National interest is the prime concern."

Olympian Vandana Rao also welcomed the High Court decision but said she would have been happier had Kalmadi been barred from attending the entire Olympics.

"It's a welcome decision that Kalmadi has been barred from attending the opening ceremony. But he should be barred from attending the entire Olympics. I would have been happier had he been barred from the entire Olympics," said Vandana, who represented the country in women's 4X400m relay in 1984 and 1988 Olympics in Los Angeles and Seoul.