MICHAEL CONLAN AND Steven Donnelly have been sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee for betting on boxing events at Rio 2016.
The pair have been issued with ‘severe reprimands’ but because there was no ‘intent to manipulate’ any event, they’ve avoided further punishment.
They will, however, contribute to integrity educational programmes.
Conlan placed bets on 8 and 9 August but despite them involving fights in his bantamweight class, the 24-year-old didn’t wager on his own bouts.
According to the IOC, a ‘relatively low amount of money’ (£200 maximum) was placed but Conlan lost both bets.
The IOC’s Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer was informed on 17 August.
At the subsequent disciplinary hearing, Conlan said he had signed various IOC documents without reading them and didn’t know about betting being prohibited.
He said he usually bet on sport – horse racing, football and boxing – and that it was a hobby, not an addiction.
Conlan said he was bored in the Olympic Village and placed the bets to pass the time.
Donnelly, meanwhile, placed eight bets on various boxing events – including two on his own last 16 welterweight bout against Tuvshinbat Byamba.
Incredibly, Donnelly bet against himself but ended up beating the Mongolian fighter in a split-decision.
According to the IOC, the bets placed involved, like in Conlan’s case, relatively low sums of money.
At his hearing, Donnelly argued the same as Conlan – that he wasn’t aware of betting being outlawed by the IOC and that boredom led to him placing the bets.
He also said that betting on his own fight was to compensate for a potential defeat and that he didn’t intend to cheat and lose the bout.
Speaking after his last 16 win and inching towards an Olympic medal, Donnelly said:
“I believe in myself but I will go in and give it my all and I’m in a win-win situation from now on”
Conlan has since left the amateur ranks and is expected to make his pro debut in New York on St Patrick’s Day next year after signing with giant American promoters Top Rank.
Donnelly, who’s 28, has also revealed he’s leaving the amateur ranks and is in talks with various promoters currently.
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You know it’s time to give up gambling when you bet against yourself and still can’t beat the bookie
Idiot betting on fights at the Olympics with the obvious corruption
Bit thick alright, not cheating as their own fighting testified, but could have ruined their careers if things went down a certain way. Own Olympic Games, own sport and even an own fight. It wasn’t in the big print rules but they shoulda known.
Still only one Irish man in the clink from the bunch that went there!
The right one
If Donnelly had lost that bout his career would be as good as over……absolute dope
Doubt his career would be over
No one takes Olympic boxing seriously
Is their really any point in giving out to conlon
Its like something out of Father Ted. Donnelly backed himself to lose….and he won. Strange one.
Now that is a waste of taxpayers money sending them to the olympics. They did us proud.
How would Conlon have reacted if his referee had been betting on fights in his division.
His protests about corruption in the Olympics now seem totally hypocritical in the extreme.
How can he claim to be unaware that he shouldnt bet on the outcome of his own fight. Especially when he bet against himself.
Let’s hope he made money on the result of his fight, I’m sure it was worth 100/1 because he bet the head off his opponent & still lost!Michael was robbed!
The absolute gall of the IOC to say anything about a few small bets with the level of corruption in their ranks.. Clean your own house first.
Conlon should tell the IOC where to stick their reprimand after the way he was treated.
Cannot take the IOC seriously…
They have very lame excuses. Good riddance to them. Not a very clever way to box clever!!
All Boxers are true sportsmen
What a stupid comment
A lot of stupid comments here Kev, particularly those in defence of the boxers. The obvious thing that jumps out at me is that these 2 guys must be as thick as 2 short planks.
They must be brain damaged.
These Boxers were not betting against their opponent. They were betting against the corruption of the Judges decision.