Tendulkar not to carry Olympic torch

Sachin Tendulkar, on Wednesday, became the latest celebrity to pull out of the Olympic torch relay run in New Delhi, just a day before the event.

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The master batsman has been advised by his IPL team physio not to take part in the event in view of his groin injury.

Indian Olympic Assocation chief, Suresh Kalmadi, has confimed he had received a message in this regard.

National football captain Baichung Bhutia and India's first IPS officer Kiran Bedi had earlier pulled out of the event. While Bhutia decided to skip the event in support of the Tibetan cause, Bedi had cited "scuffing" security arrangement.

On Tuesday, Bollywood actor Soha Ali Khan had pulled out of the torch relay saying she has prior engagements.

IOA officials refused to comment on Tendulkar's pull-out saying that Kalmadi alone can respond.

The name of the runners in the torch relay and other details of the event will be announced later in the day.

Massive security arrangements have been made for the relay in India after the route was shortened in a bid to prevent protests. It will now be run on the two and a half km route between Vijay Path and India gate.

Keeping in mind the demonstrations by the Tibetans residing in Delhi last month, union home ministry has directed Delhi police commissioner YS Dadwal to ensure that there are no disturbances during the relay.

Dadwal has in turn has made elaborate arrangements to ensure that the security arrangements are in place. Over 16,000 policemen have been requesitioned and the special arrangements have been made in and around Chinese embassay.

IOA has maintained a strict silence on the subject.

The Olympic torch will arrive from Pakistan later on Wednesday evening.

With inputs from Agencies