Sachin Tendulkar, on Monday April 7, 2008 consented to be a part of the Olympic torch relay slated for April 17 in New Delhi. The master blaster said that he was looking forward to run with the Olympic torch. He however refused to comment on the ongoing controversy surrounding the protests. Beijing Olympic Games are scheduled for August 8-24 and would witness more than 200 countries of the world and Head of the States participating in the games. The recent mobilization of Chinese army in Tibet has called for protests from different sections of the world.
Suresh Kalmadi, President Indian Olympic Association confirmed Sachin’s participation in the Indian leg of the Olympic torch relay. Indian football team captain, Bhaichung Bhutia however had refused to be a part of the Olympic torch relay in wake of the recent developments in Tibet at China’s behest. Further, sporting giants of India who would be a part of the Olympic relay team include, Pullela Gopichand, Milkha Singh and Anju Bobby George among others.
Kalmadi further stated that India will make sure that no untoward incident takes place during the Olympic torch relay in New Delhi. Several protestors disrupted the relay during it’s London leg by shouting slogans like ‘shame on China’. A similar protest is apprehended in India, which is home to several Tibetans living in exile here. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has already announced the shortening of the Olympic torch relay route from 9 km to 3km in wake of security concerns.
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