Dow, who are one of 11 Worldwide Olympic Partners, have faced strong opposition over their sponsorship of the Games in recent months owing to the fact that they bought American chemical firm Union Carbide, whose Bhopal plant in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh leaked toxic gases in 1984, killing thousands of people in the world's worst industrial accident.

A group of Indian Paralympians, including Athens 2004 Paralympian and secretary general of the Haryana Paralympic Association Girraj Singh, are calling for a boycott of the 2012 Paralympics unless Dow drop their sponsorship and claim that the IPC are "questioning the involvement of Dow Chemical in the London Olympic Games".

However, the IPC have moved to dispel such suggestions and say that they are not involved in the row in any way.

"On 31 January 2012, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) responded to a petition letter from Indian Olympians asking for LOCOG to reconsider sponsorship of London Olympics 2012 by Dow Chemical Company, USA," an IPC spokesperson told insideworldparasport.

"In its response the IPC highlighted that Dow's sponsorship was not an issue for them to get involved in as the Paralympic Movement has no relations with the company.

"Furthermore, the IPC pointed out it has no jurisdiction over LOCOG (London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games), which is a totally autonomous organisation, and who they choose as sponsors.

"The IPC did however express its deep sympathy to all victims of the Bhopal tragedy."

In their protests, the Indian Paralympians urged their Government to boycott the Games while Dow was still involved.

"All Indian Para-athletes should boycott London 2012 Paralympics until Dow Chemical is dropped as a sponsor," said Singh.

"The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Sports Ministry of India should show much stronger protests against this sponsorship."


Singh also criticises London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe as he said: "Lord Coe is not only doing a disservice to the Bhopal victims, he is betraying all who are part of the Olympic Movement."

London 2012 declined to comment but the sponsorship issue is out of their hands as Dow is a sponsor of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and therefore it is outside the remit of the Organising Committee to drop the sponsor.

That power rests with the IOC but the organisation's President Jacques Rogge has already backed the company over the issue.

"While we totally understand the emotions and the grief one has to say that Dow Chemical was not involved in the Bhopal issue," Rogge said in a recent interview.

"We have advised the IOA to enter into a dialogue with their athletes and this is what they will do.

"I would hope the interest of sport and interest of the athletes will prevail.

"Every measure calling for a boycott is a measure that is hurting Indian sport and I am glad to say that there is no intention at the level of the IOA to consider such actions."

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