Dow clarifies on London Olympics sponsorship
After weeks of protest by Bhopal Gas tragedy survivors, comes news that the decorative wrap around London's Olympic Stadium will not have the logo of Dow Chemicals. But is it really a victory for the protestors?
After weeks of protest by Bhopal Gas tragedy survivors, comes news that the decorative wrap around London's Olympic Stadium will not have the logo of Dow Chemicals. But is it really a victory for the protestors?
Not really, considering Dow Chemicals have clarified that company logo branding is not and never has been permitted on the stadium for any Olympic Games and London 2012 is no different. And the protestors understand that.
"This is an admission of their guilt, but this is not want we want," Rachna Dhingra, an activist in Bhopal, said.
The deal between Dow and the London Games organisers was for limited branding and one that would be taken off anyway a few months before the Olympics. But the IOA is determined to keep pressing to end Dow's association with the Games completely.
"The IOA agreed to send a protest letter to the organisers. There are 11 sponsors, let there be 10 or find another new one," VK Malhotra, Acting President of IOA, said.
What has to be remembered at this time is that even a complete pull-out by Dow might not be a win for the protestors, considering Dow's contract with the IOC runs till 2020. Which means Dow Chemicals will be back for the 2016 Olympics.