Former athletes condemn Salman Khan’s appointment as India’s ambassador for Rio Olympics

Reuters: Former athletes on Sunday (24 April) criticised Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) decision to appoint Bollywood actor Salman Khan as the Goodwill Ambassador of Indian contingent in the Rio Games.

While questioning the need to rope in a film star, legendary sprinter Milkha Singh said the athletes representing India were the true ambassadors.

“I think IOA (Indian Olympic Association) has taken a wrong decision. I want to ask why we have a need to send an ambassador. I am of the view that our sports persons; be those from shooting, athletics, volleyball or other sports, they are the real ambassadors of India who would represent the country in the Olympics. So, I think this decision by the IOA is wrong and they should not have appointed a Bollywood actor as an ambassador for an Indian contingent at Rio Olympics,” Milkha said in New Delhi.

The ‘Flying Sikh’, as Singh is known, also sought revision of IOA’s decision.

Former Indian marathon runner, Sunita Godara, added that Khan’s appointment as the team’s ambassador was an insult to sports champions.

“It is humiliating for the champions, who are going into the Olympics, to have Salman Khan as their goodwill ambassador. Instead, it should have been an Olympic champion. We have champions, champions from Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games capable enough to be named as the brand ambassador. Choosing a film hero is an insult to sports champions,” Godara said in northern Dehradun city.

However, unfazed by the criticism, Vice President of IOA, Tarlochan Singh, said Khan’s public appeal would help garner publicity for sports in the country.

“Since the trend among the youth is that they look towards such film celebrities, so if we are getting their help, there is no harm. After all, they have come forward; actually, if you ask me, everyone in India who is popular, he should also be of help to the sports,” Singh said in New Delhi.

Khan’s announcement as the Goodwill Ambassador was made in the national capital on Saturday (April 23) in front of star athletes - boxer M.C. Mary Kom, captain of Indian men’s hockey team, Sardar Singh, captain of the women’s hockey team, Ritu Rani, shooter Apurvi Chandela and table tennis player Manika Batra.

The IOA hoped to turn the new association with Khan into a reliable money-making venture for the organisation.

The Rio Olympics is scheduled to commence on 5 August and end on 21 August.

The Olympic torch was lit in southern Greece on Thursday (21 April), kicking off the countdown to the main event.