International Olympic Committee to impose gambling ban on athletes, coaches and staff
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that it will implement a comprehensive ban on gambling on all activities that are related to the London 2012 Olympics. This is an effort considered of paramount importance in order to preserve the integrity
of the prestigious international sporting event.
The IOC has taken this step in light of the corruption that has plagued international football as well as cricket. The scandals have significantly decreased the credibility of the sports and the sportsmen involved. In order to protect the Olympics from such
a fate, the IOC plans to undertake all the necessary measures to keep its integrity intact.
Jacques Rogge, the president of the IOC, made the following statement at the 123rd session of the committee that was held in Durban: “Protecting the integrity of sport is a priority for the IOC. In all these areas, cooperation with governments
is essential.”
The ban will be applicable on all athletes that will be taking part in the sporting event next year. Not only that, it will also extend to include the coaches as well as the support staff of every delegation that will be involved in London 2012 Olympics.
In case an athlete is determined to be involved in any sort of gambling activity, the IOC will have the right to take back the medals that he or she may have won during the Olympic Games. Other than that, the IOC can also place a ban on the athlete which
may go on to include their support teams. This ban can be imposed on the athlete for successive Olympic Games as well.
The London Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from the 16th July to 15th August next year. Therefore, the ban will be placed on the previously indicated parties during the days that the Olympic Games will be taking place.
The year 2012 would see the city of London hosting the Olympic Games for a third time, making it the first city in the world to do so. The first time that the Olympics were staged in London was in 1908 while the second time it was in 1948.
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