Hindus Laud ‘London Olympics 2012’ For Hinduism Inclusion

Hindus have applauded London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games for giving representation to Hinduism at its Multi-Faith Centre in the Olympic Village.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that creation of Multi-Faith Centre and availability of Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Service at Olympics was “a step in the right direction” and exhibits inclusiveness.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that both religion and sports were very powerful in inspiring the world and with an appropriate usage could bring positive change to the world.

Olympic Village will reportedly recruit 193 chaplains from various faith communities to assist about 237,000 athletes, officials, staff, volunteers and media persons involved with the Olympics during the Games. A Multi-Faith Reference Group advises the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) in policies in areas of volunteering, food, chaplaincy, etc., and has developed a “Faith pin badge” celebrating inclusion and diversity.

Rajan Zed further said that like faith representatives, leaders of non-believers (atheists, etc.) should also be given some role in the Reference Group and other areas of the Games, so that they, representing a considerable chunk of the populace, would also feel included.

Sebastian Coe, Sir Keith Mills and Paul Deighton are Chair, Deputy Chair and CEO respectively of LOCOG, which is responsible for preparing and staging the 2012 Games with a £2bn budget.