Rogge Warns on Dangers of Sports Betting

Jacques Rogge, the president of the International Olympic Committee, has warned that gambling must not be allowed to undermine the integrity of the Olympic Games even though for the first time it will be possible to have a bet on the downhill ski races at this year’s winter event, which opens in Turin on Friday.

"The integrity of our movement and the spirit of the Olympic Games also depend on our ethical standards," said Rogge. "The rapid growth of sports betting commands us to be vigilant. We owe it to ourselves and our event to ensure that such activities are contained within the appropriate framework."

Betting is not normally allowed at the Olympics but the Italian bookmaker Big Race Sci is for the first time offering odds on the ski races in Turin. Bets may be placed at any of the 22,000 licensed parlors in Italy, which include the thousands of bars on virtually every street corner in the country. When the initiative was announced last month it was welcomed by Gian Franco Kasper, the president of the International Ski Federation and a member of the IOC.

In Britain a number of companies are offering odds on the Olympics, including Sportingbet, which has Britain’s team at 1,000-1 to finish top of the medals table. And although Rogge may be wary of the evils of gambling, the IOC was happy to sanction a lottery scheme that will help raise £1.7 billion for London to stage the 2012 Olympics.