IOA wants Rahul Gandhi to carry Olympic flame
9 Apr 2008 , PTI

NEW DELHI : The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Wednesday said it has invited Rahul Gandhi along with other young Parliamentarians to participate in the Indian leg of the Olympic torch relay.

IOA President Suresh Kalmadi said the step to invite political personalities has been taken at the behest of the organisers.

"They (the organisers) want people from all walks of life to take part in the relay including the sportsmen and people from various walks of life. So, we have invited few young MPs including Rahul Gandhi, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jiten Prasad and Sachin Pilot," Kalmadi told a television channel.

Kalmadi, however, said they were yet to meet young MPs with a formal request.

"We are yet to go personally and invite them."

While Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia has pulled out of the run with the flame, expressing his solidarity with the pro-Tibetan activists, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has agreed to be a part of the run here on April 17.

Kalmadi had also assured that the relay, which had seen worldwide protests, would go without any hiccup in India .

"The torch relay is a matter of pride and we would ensure that no untoward incident takes place. Everything has been planned and there would be adequate security measures."

Milkha Singh, Pullela Gopichand and Anju Bobby George are among the prominent personalities who would take part in the relay.