BJP MP Udit Raj clarifies on 'beef for athletes' remark, says was just quoting Bolt's trainer

A day after stating that Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won nine Olympics gold medals because of consuming beef as a source of protein, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Udit Raj on Monday clarified his stance saying his remark was in context of allegations that athletes don't have enough facilities to train.

"I was worried that our performance (at Rio Games) was poor. I thought about the reasons (behind the disappointing result). Then I noticed that Usain Bolt's trainers told him to eat beef twice a day because he was poor. I just wanted to say that if there is dedication, then we can excel in sports. Giving excuses about lack of infrastructure and pointing out faults of the govt. and the system all the time should be done away with," Raj told ANI.

Taking a departure from his party's stand on the controversial meat and its consumption, Raj, the chairperson of the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations, had posted on his Twitter handle, "Usain bolt of Jamaica was poor and trainer advised him to eat beef both the times and he scored 9 gold medals in Olympic."

His tweet was retweeted more than 200 times, earning appreciation as well as criticism for his stand. However, the party is yet to respond to his comments.

"I cited circumstances of Jamaica that despite poor infrastructure & poverty, Bolt won 9 gold so our players should find ways like that to win," Raj tweeted, further clarifying his position on the controversial issue.

"I intended to convey-players & society to look at ways to win in games rather blaming circumstances & Govt & eating is their choice," he added.

Known for being vocal in raising Dalit issues, the Delhi legislator, representing the Delhi North-West constituency, had earlier censured cow vigilant groups severely for their attacks on Dalits in recent times.