The Olympics loom. Once again I am out of step with the nation. I feel like Scrooge at Christmas.
I salute sports people, their dedication and prowess. But the nobility of their art is undermined by their patrons.
Greenwash Gold is inviting votes for the worst sponsor.
I am cross about Olympics’ sponsors of fast-foods such as Coca Cola or McDonald’s which contribute to obesity.
However, my vote for worst sponsor must go to the Dow Chemical Company.
Its website looks green and pleasant.
Dow Chemical with Monsanto produced Agent Orange, a deadly herbicide used in the Vietnam war. Agent Orange caused severe deformations in children, according to the Vietnam Red Cross.
Dow Chemical owns the Union Carbide company responsible for the 1984 Bhopal tragedy. A terrible explosion of the US multinational’s pesticide factory one night in an Indian city resulted in painful deaths, poisoned water, chronic illness.
The survivors are still fighting for justice.
Meredith Alexander, a commissioner on the sustainability watchdog of the London 2012 Games, resigned over Dow Chemical’s sponsorship.
She explains in her words why, adding:
“I would like to see Dow take responsibility for the Bhopal tragedy.. .This would be a true Olympic legacy.
Look, the London 2012 Olympics have inspired groovy things such as sourcing sustainable wood and sustainable fish. I am not saying it is all bad.
However, just as Christmas is monetised, so are the Olympics.
Rooted in mythology, the Olympics were intended to develop spirituality. O, to revive this noble intention!
Which sponsor gets your worst vote?
Thank you Criminal Chalklist for ‘100 metre Dash’ image above. I think it might have inspired this post.
Real Food Lover 