Three track and field athletes received lengthy bans after being caught betting on teammates during European and world championships. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) sanctioned German discus throwers Steven Richter and Henrik Janssen, as well as French middle-distance runner Aurore Fleury.
The AIU highlighted its “zero tolerance” approach by banning the discus throwers for three months and Fleury for six months. All three admitted to placing the bets.
tried to cancel them after learning that betting on teammates was prohibited
In the case of Janssen and Richter, someone overheard the former at a camp before the 2025 World Athletics Championships saying he had placed wagers on upcoming action. A third party informed him that this was not allowed. Janssen had already made wagers totaling €100 ($118) and tried to cancel them after learning that betting on teammates was prohibited. Similarly, Richter also attempted to cancel his €40 ($47) worth of wagers.
The Fleury case occurred in 2024 at that year’s European Athletics Championships. She wagered €2,000 ($2,358) on a teammate, which resulted in €5,000 ($5,895) in winnings. Fleury said she was not aware that the bet was not allowed. She received a six-month ban rather than three due to the significantly higher stakes involved.
When deciding the sanctions, the AIU acknowledged that the athletes had not received adequate education regarding betting rules. All three had previously clean disciplinary records and showed remorse for their actions.
