Indian minister rebuked for 'agressive behaviour' at Rio Olympics

The union sports minister of India, Vijay Goel has been warned against his staff resorting to aggressive behaviour of his entourage.

Source: Twitter

While Indian is still struggling to get off the mark on the Rio Olympic medal tally, the country’s sports minister has earned the rebuke of the organising committee of the Rio games due to his entourage’s “aggressive and rude” behaviour.

Vijay Goel, the union Sports Minister of India who was in Rio to cheer the Indian athletes, was warned that his accreditation may be cancelled if unaccredited people accompanying him continue their misdemeanour, The Hindu reported.

Sarah Peterson, the Continental manager of the Rio Organising Committee wrote in a letter to India’s Chef-de-Mission : “We have had multiple reports of your Minister for Sports trying to enter accredited areas at venues with unaccredited individuals. When the staff try to explain that this is not allowed, [...] the people with the Minister [...] become aggressive and rude and sometimes push past our staff.”

“As you can understand, this type of behaviour is not acceptable. Despite previous warnings, it would seem that even today the same incident occurred at the Rio Olympic Arena (Gymnastics venue) and Carioca Arena 3,” she added.

Peterson said if there was repeat of this behaviour, the Minister’s accreditation could be cancelled.

“Should our protocol team be made aware of further examples of this type of behaviour, the accreditation of your Minister for Sports will be cancelled and his privileges at the Olympic Games withdrawn,” she said.

Mr. Goel, under fire since the warning, returned to India and defended himself against the accusations.

“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 organisers,” Goel tweeted.