It appears that the betting ‘scandal’ affecting the Irish Olympic team has blown over as quickly as a gust on the Olympic sailing course in Weymouth.  Media reports over the weekend named sailor Peter O’Leary as the man alleged in an email 48 hours before the games to have placed a bet on an opponent four years ago.
The Olympic Council of Ireland and the ethics committee of the International Olympic Committee spent the weekend considering the evidence which was presented in yesterday’s Sunday independent newspaper and repeated around the world.  The initial feeling seems to be that no rules were broken and that no further investigation would take place until after the games.  O’Leary and his partner David Burrows competed yesterday in the first two qualifying races in the Star class and lie second overnight with 15 boats progressing to the next round.
Betting and integrity are as high a priority for the IOC as doping and President Jacques Rogge has insisted in speech after speech that it is an area that poses a major threat.
Betting on sport is a mainstream activity, especially in Ireland where bookmaking is legal and horse and greyhound racing are a central part of the sporting landscape.  Ironically O’Leary’s Grandparents Archie and Violet O’Leary were the owners of Florida Pearl one of Ireland’s best racehorses of recent decades.
Sports governing bodies and player groups are aware of issues surrounding gambling.  An addiction helpline established by the Gaelic Players Association at the end of last year has dealt with a number of issues surrounding gambling addiction.  In certain cases assistance for players is available.
In many sports, a common sense approach with regard to betting propriety would be covered under a general prohibition on ‘bringing the game into disrepute.  Many sports bodies and teams have commercial relationships with betting organisations.  Paddy Power and the IRFU as well as Boylesports and the FAI both hold official partner roles.
Sport for Business will this week look in depth at the rules which different associations apply to competitors’ betting on events under their jurisdiction.  We will publish the findings in next weekend’s Sport for Business Members’ Weekly and it may be that the Round Table on Sport and Betting scheduled for October may be expanded to cover a best practice seminar for sports bodies as well as a look at the commercial side of the relationship.
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