Rio 2016 will go down in Irish sporting infamy.
Not content with the Michael O’Reilly scandal, ticket touting fiasco or boxing judges farce [of which Ireland were on the receiving end], there has been further Irish head-hanging after Friday night’s betting revelations.
As first reported by Independent.ie, two Irish boxers were warned about ‘inappropriate betting’ at the Rio Olympics.
While it was not illegal for athletes or Olympic officials to bet during the games, it was prohibited bt the International Olympic Committee. A veritable warning sign on a glass cookie jar, if you will.
A statement from the Olympic Council of Ireland reads:
‘The OCI can confirm that two Irish boxers at Rio 2016 were spoken to about inappropriate betting activity during the Games. The matter is still under review so there will be no further comment at this stage.’
The Irish Amateur Boxing Association confirmed it has been made aware of the Rio 2016 bets. It also released a statement before stating it would not comment further under ‘any potential disciplinary action would be undertaken’. A portion of the statement reads:
‘The IABA would be very disappointed if any members of the team have engaged in a prohibited activity under the OCI’s Conditions of Participation.’
The IOC, with support by Brazilian authorities, established a special unit in the athletes’ village in Rio to monitor any suspect betting.
As the bets made were said to be for relatively small sums, the unnamed boxers may avoid stiffer sanctions if they agree to take part in a programme concerning betting practices.
Massive Dublin v Kerry preview in the latest GAA Hour. Subscribe here on iTunes
