IOA may drop Salman Khan as Olympic goodwill ambassador for rape remark
The IOA has reportedly threatened to drop Salman Khan as the goodwill ambassador of the Olympic contingent, if an “apology” is not made on the rape comment. According to a report by DNA, Salman's name has already been dropped from the list of invitees for the contingent's send-off ceremony.
After the controversy surrounding his appointment as the goodwill ambassador of the Indian Olympic contingent, Bollywood star Salman Khan’s role as ambassador could be under threat with another controversy in the air. The 50-year-old had made a comment stating that training sessions for his new film made him feel like a "raped woman".
"when I used to walk out of the ring after the shoot" (of his upcoming movie 'Sultan' in which he is playing the role of a wrestler), "I used to feel like a raped woman. I couldn't walk straight", he was quoted as saying in an interview, reported DNA.
The insensitive comments from the star also caught the attention of the Indian Olympic Association officials. Rakesh Gupta, Joint Secretary and India's chef-de-mission for Rio Games, said
Also read: An Open letter on Salman Khan's appointment as Olympics ambassador
"He shouldn't have used this analogy to describe his shooting schedule. He should have given a different answer or cited some other example. This way he has hurt the image of Indian sports. This statement will have an adverse effect with the Rio Olympics fast approaching," Gupta told DNA, adding: "He should immediately apologise for his remark."
However, according to the same report, the Bollywood star has already been dropped from the list of invitees, who would be present during the Indian contingent's send-off ceremony in the third week of July.
"It has been conveyed to Salman's PR team (IOS)," an unnamed IOA official told DNA on condition of anonymity.
"The apologies have so far come from his family members, but not from the actor himself, which is very sad. In fact, we were planning a function with him next week which has now been put on hold for his insensitive remarks.
“He has created an unnecessary controversy at the wrong time. If we will invite him for the official send-off, then no one would be interested in asking questions to the Rio-bound athletes. Everyone would be looking for his reaction," the IOA senior official said, reported DNA.
IOA’s senior vice-president Tarlochan Singh also condemned the comment by Salman
"Why he wants this controversy to linger on? This is affecting his image only. One should be bold enough to accept his mistake if he has said such thing. It's not about a celebrity like Salman, but no one should make such remark for any woman," he said.
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