Will Kalmadai travel to London for games ?

The sports minister on Friday shot off a letter to IOA, requesting the sports body not to facilitate the tainted Kalmadi administrator's visit to UK on ethical grounds. 

In a letter to Randhir Singh, secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the ministry argued that since Kalmadi is embroiled in corruption cases, IOA should not support Kalmadi in any way.

The sports minister Ajay Maken  said that he will ensure that Kalmadi is not part of the Indian delegation, which is headed for London.

"Taking into consideration the serious charges levelled against Kalmadi in the matters relating to conduct of the Commonwealth Games 2010 and that the court is still seized of the matter, the Ministry requests that the IOA, on ethical grounds, should not facilitate or sponsor the visit of Kalmadi to London in any manner including air travel, lodging and boarding in London and giving tickets for witnessing the opening and closing ceremonies and sports competitions of the London Olympics, 2012," the letter written by Onkar Kedia, joint Secretary, said.

Further, the ministry appealed to IOA to take up the matter with international bodies such as International Olympic Committee (IOC)."The IOA should also take up this issue with the IOC and the IAAF, particularly, in the light of the fact that visit of Kalmadi to London Olympics, before corruption charges against him are cleared by the court, would defy the 'Fundamental Principles of Olympism' as enshrined in the 'Olympic Charter'," the letter said.

Delhi court granted permission to Kalmadi to attend the London Olympics. Kalmadi will travel to London for the games from July 26 to August 13.e CBI had opposed Kalmadi's plea saying that it would hamper day-to-day court proceedings in the CWG Scam in which Kalmadi is an accused. However, the judge overruled the objection and allowed Kalmadi to travel to London.In his plea to Special CBI Judge Talwant Singh, Kalmadi had said he is a member of International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Council and sought permission to go to the United Kingdom for the games from July 26 to August 13.
"Applicant (Kalmadi), in his capacity, as a member of the IAAF Council and as president of Asian Athletics Association (AAA), is required to attend certain meetings, conferences and matters of the IAAF during the London 2012 Olympics from July 26 to August 13," Kalmadi said in his application.Special CBI Judge Talwant Singh had earlier allowed Kalmadi's plea to visit London from 26^th July to 13^th August, while ordering him to furnish a bond of Rs 10 lakh and a surety of the same amount.