Salim Khan defends Salman Khan's Olympic ambassador appointment

MUMBAI: Scriptwriter Salim Khan today defended his actor-son Salman Khan's appointment as goodwill ambassador of the Indian Olympic contingent, which has been criticised by some noted sports personalties of the country.

Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and sprint legend Milkha Singh had raised eyebrows over Indian Olympic Association's ( IOA) decision to go with the 50-year-old Bollywood superstar over a sportsperson.

Salim today took to Twitter to support his son, who plays a wrestler in his upcoming film "Sultan", while also taking potshots at Milkha Singh.

"Salman Khan may not have competed but is an A level swimmer cyclist and weight lifter.. Sportsmen are performing because of sports lovers like us," Salim, 80, wrote.

Milkha, whose life was turned into a blockbuster film "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", had said that sports personalities like PT Usha should have been considered by IOA instead of importing "a person from Bollywood."

Reacting to this Salim said, "Milkhaji it is not Bollywood, it is the Indian Film Industry and that too the largest in the world.

"The same industry which resurrected you from fading away in oblivion."