by Renee Israel
The Irish Olympic Council is currently investigating reports that one of its
athletes broke the no-wagering rule for participants and gambled on his own
sport during the Games.
According to The Independent, the unnamed athlete bet on his opponent in an
event in which they were both competing.
The newspaper said that it had "detailed documentary evidence" that the
athlete placed two bets with a bookmaker on the day before the event at odds of
12 to 1.
After the event, it turned out the bets paid off and the athlete reportedly
withdraw €3,600 from his account at the bookmaker.
The first bet won €533, while the second one saw the athlete bag €3,367.
Findings After the Olympics
The Irish Olympic Council said in a statement that it had informed the
athlete - who has not been named - that he was under investigation, following an
anonymous tip prior to the London Games, that he had placed the two bets in
favour of his opponent in the same event of the unnamed sport.
The Council forbids members of the Olympic team, including athletes and
officials, to gamble at all and, if found guilty, the athlete could, according
to the council, face "severe sanctions".
There are even talks that the athlete could face expulsion from the Olympics.
The Irish Olympic Council said that since the Games were already underway,
the investigation's findings would not be made known until after the Games.
The President of the countil, Pat Hickey said: "This is fraught with legal
issues. Right now our priority is not to cause any unnecessary upset to the
competitors."
The Olympic council said that since this was now a legal issue between itself
and the athlete, it would make no further comments for the time on the Irish
athlete Olympic betting scandal.
The competitor's solicitor send a detailed letter to the council on Thursday,
before the start of the games, it is understood.
65 Irish Olympic Athletes
There are 65 athletes representing Ireland in 14 different sports, according
to the council.
Ireland first made an appearance in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 1924,
although Irish competitors took part from 1896.
All in all, Ireland has won 23 medals in its history of participation - 8
gold medals, 7 silver and 8 bronze.
Gold medals have been won for athletics, boxing and swimming, with the last
gold medals (3) won in 1996.
At the last Olympic Games in Beijing, Team Ireland brought home one silver
medal and two bronze.
