MONACO: The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has sanctioned German discus throwers, Henrik Janssen and Steven Richter, along with French middle-distance runner, Aurore Fleury, for breaching the World Athletics Integrity Code and Manipulation of Competition (MSC) rules regarding betting.

In a move that highlights the AIU’s zero-tolerance to betting on the sport by participants, 27-year-old Janssen and 22-year-old Richter were handed three-month suspended bans while 32-year-old Fleury received a six-month ban (from 1 September 2025) and was fined 3 000 Euros to be donated to charity. All three athletes were charged with violating Integrity Standard 3.3.4 relating to ‘Maintaining Integrity of Competition’ – and they all admitted the violations. The rules concerning betting prohibit all ‘applicable persons’ from betting on any athletics event.

The cases regarding Janssen and Richter surround last year’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, in which both athletes competed. At a pre-Championships Holding Camp, in Myazaki, Japan, Janssen was overheard discussing with another athlete bets he had placed on the 13-21 September event. He was informed by a third party that such bets were prohibited. When interviewed by the AIU, Janssen admitted placing three bets on 16 September totalling 100 Euros but said he was unaware this was prohibited until told so by a teammate. He added that he tried unsuccessfully to cancel his bets and placed no more bets afterwards.

Richter was also informed that betting was prohibited under World Athletics Rules and Regulations after he too was overheard discussing his bets on the World Championships. In his AIU interview, he disclosed that he bet 40 Euros but said he placed no more bets after unsuccessfully attempting to cancel his initial bet. Both German athletes placed bets on their teammates.

Meanwhile, Fleury’s case stems from the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome (7-12 June) at which the athlete bet 2 000 Euros on a teammate – and won 5 000 Euros. She admitted this violation to the AIU but claimed she was unaware it was a breach of World Athletics Rules and Regulations. Given the amount wagered by Fleury, the case was deemed more serious.

As part of their sanction, the trio has been ordered to complete the International Olympic Committee’s Prevention of Competition Manipulation online training, especially after revealing they had not received any education on the Integrity Code or the MSC Rules. Lack of education on betting was one of several mitigating factors in arriving at the sanctions, with all three athletes also offering early admission, demonstrating genuine remorse for their actions and having previously possessed clean disciplinary records.

AIU Head, Brett Clothier, said betting rules are one of the cornerstones of sports integrity as they are designed to prevent competition manipulation and keep the sport free from corruption.

“World Athletics Rules regarding betting are in place to ensure that the results in our sport are determined solely on merit. The AIU maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards breaches of the betting rules as they strike at the heart of the integrity of sport,” declared Clothier. 

“These sanctions must serve as a clear reminder to all that there is no place in athletics for this prohibited activity. Athletes and other participants are on notice that stricter sanctions may apply in the future. The integrity of our sport is non-negotiable.”

Additionally, Clothier stressed the importance of betting rules and related education reaching athletes.

“It is incumbent on Member Federations to prioritise athlete awareness of issues like betting and competition manipulation so they are fully apprised of the strict rules and avoid pitfalls which may jeopardise their careers. Education cannot be overstated. It is critical,” insisted the AIU head.

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