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Peter O'Leary and David Burrows of Ireland in action during the first Star Class race of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Weymouth & Portland Venue at Weymouth Harbour on July 29, 2012 in Weymouth, England. (Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Olympic officials said they are investigating allegations that an Irish competitor who was not named, placed a bet on an opponent during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The athlete is believed to be competing during the London Olympics, the BBC reported.
The International Olympic Committee forbids athletes from betting against themselves. The Olympic Council of Ireland said it would not identify the athlete.
The Ireland-based Independent newspaper first reported on the scandal, saying the athlete in question placed two bets against himself during the 2008 Olympics. The newspaper, citing sources close to the matter, later reported that sailor Peter O’Leary is the athlete in question.
He made a “naive mistake” during the 2008 Games, a source told the Independent.
Olympic Council of Ireland President Pat Hickey told the publication that the athlete would face “severe sanctions” and could even be expelled from the Olympics. However, this likely will not happen because an investigation would first need to take place.
A statement from the International Olympic Committee obtained by the BBC says that it is working with Ireland’s Olympics organizers to deal the matter.
“This is fraught with legal issues,” Hickey said over the weekend, “and, right now, our priority is not to cause any unnecessary upset to the competitors.”
Ireland has more than 60 athletes competing during the 2012 Olympics.
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