2 Germans, a French athlete sanctioned by AIU over betting rules

German discus throwers Henrik Janssen and Steven Richter have received suspended suspensions of three months each by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for violating betting rules, reported dpa.

The AIU said on Thursday that Janssen and Richter placed bets on team-mates for the 2025 world championships in Tokyo were they also both competed. Janssen placed three bets totalling €100 and Richter one of €40.

The statement said that both athletes admitted to placing the bets but also that they were unaware that such bets were not allowed. It said Janssen and Richter tried in vain to cancel the bets after finding out they were not permitted.

The AIU named all this mitigating factors but stressed that "the rules concerning betting prohibit all ‘applicable persons’ from betting on any athletics event."

Richter went out in qualifying at the worlds while Janssen managed no legal throw in the final.

French middle distance runner Aurore Fleury was meanwhile banned for six months for betting €2,000 on a team-mate at the 2024 European championships and winning €5,000 from it. She is banned retroactively from September 1, 2025, and was fined €3,000 which is to go to charity.

“World Athletics Rules regarding betting are in place to ensure that the results in our sport are determined solely on merit," AIU head Brett Clothier said.

"The AIU maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards breaches of the

betting rules as they strike at the heart of the integrity of sport.”