It wouldn't be the Olympics without a scandal involving the Irish team. Around the time the Olympic torch was lit, the Irish Independent released a story that an unnamed Irish athlete in an unnamed sport bet on an opponent in a previous competition that they were both competing in. The OCI's source on this story is said to be an anonymous email, but Vincent Hogan has tracked down what he says is documentary evidence that proves that the Irish athlete made two bets on the opponent. They report that:
The bets, at a price of 12/1, were placed the day before their competition started. Both were successful and the competitor withdrew €3,600 in cash on returning from the event.
In the documents held by the Irish Independent, the competitor is seen to have made a credit card deposit of €300 into their personal betting account.
Three minutes later, they place a bet of €41 at 12/1, backing an opponent to win gold. Roughly 20 minutes later, they then place a second bet of €259 backing the same opponent at the same price.
Records show that the first bet brought a winning return of €533 and the second one €3,367.
Is it weird to anyone that the athlete's figure round up to a round number like €3,600? The OCI has said the story is a legal matter now but we'll be hearing more about it today and in the near future.
