New Delhi, Aug 12 : The Sports Ministry on Friday clarified that no formal communication has been received by them either from the Rio Organization Committee or through the Indian Olympic Association regarding entry of an un-accredited Indian Official accompanying Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel into some accredited area in Rio de Janerio, Brazil.
Issuing a press release, the ministry said that one such official usually accompanies the minister on such visit.
"Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has now been informed by Director General, Sports Authority of India camp Rio that the misunderstanding between an Indian Official and official of Rio Organizing Committee arose due to language barrier and a very strict security protocol being followed at Rio Olympics which involves frisking and thorough search," the release said.
The ministry has also advised the Indian official to strictly follow the rules of Rio Organizing Committee and remove any misunderstanding that might have arisen out of tight security protocol.
It is further clarified that from the ministry only a delegation size of three officials- one Joint Secretary, one Director and OSD to MOS (I/C)- are currently in Rio.
Vijay Goel had earlier rubbished being part of any controversy in the ongoing prestigious quadrennial event saying that he has been following all the rules and regulations and is fully committed to the spirit of the Games.
Earlier, the Rio Olympic Organising Committee, in a scathing letter to India's chef-de-mission Rakesh Gupta, had threatened to cancel the accreditation of Goel for being 'aggressive and rude' and trying to bring other non-accredited people at the accredited areas of the Games venues.
Denying his involvement in any miff with the Summer Games organisers, the Sports Minister wrote on Twitter that there seems to be some misunderstanding.
"To my knowledge, we have been following all rules and regulations. We are committed to the spirit of Olympics and back our Indian players. There seems to be some misunderstanding as we have followed all protocols as advised by the organizers," Goel tweeted.
The warning about Goel's accreditation could be revoked reportedly came from Sarah Peterson, the continental manager for the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee.
The Sports Minister is currently in Rio de Janeiro to cheer the Indian contingent and monitor their requirements at the Games Village.
Source: ANI
