AP interview: IOC chief Jacques Rogge envisages global watchdog to crack down on betting scams

AP interview: IOC envisages sport betting watchdog

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — IOC president Jacques Rogge says sports federations need to join the fight against match fixing and other betting scams if they want to be part of the Olympics.

Rogge says the International Olympic Committee found no sign of results fixing in Beijing and Vancouver but is concerned criminals and illegal betting websites may target future games.

He told The Associated Press on Thursday that betting scams worth billions of dollar are a “great menace to the credibility of sport” and second only to doping.

There already is a global body dedicated to fighting sports doping. Rogge says federations initially will be able to establish rules against betting scams but a global watchdog is feasible in a couple of years.