In London, Paul Kelso writes under the header, “Match-Fixing And Gambling The New Threat In IOC's Battle Against Corruption.” IOC President Jacques Rogge “believes the issues represent the next big fight facing sports organisations and governments.” The IOC “has established a monitoring unit, with input from the Metropolitan Police and the UK Gambling Commission,” to tackle the threat. The group has been “in regular contact since July 16, and will start daily meetings from this weekend.” The Gambling Commission will “receive details of any suspicious betting patterns from the legitimate UK bookmakers it licences, while European and worldwide gambling trends will be monitored by ISM, a company retained by the IOC” (London TELEGRAPH, 7/26).
DOPERS CAUGHT: NBC News’ Kevin Tibbles reported WADA has already “banned more than 100” athletes from the London Games for testing positive for banned substances. The postitive tests were caught by a "new drug-testing program that screens their blood even before they leave home” ("Nightly News," NBC, 7/25).
TAKING OFFICE: The AP reported former British Olympic Association Chair Craig Reedie has been elected an IOC VP and former Badminton World Federation Head Nawal El Moutawakel was “elected unopposed to fill two vacancies.” El Moutawakel, who “four years ago became the first female from a Muslim nation voted on to the executive board, now becomes the first to reach the vice-presidency” (AP, 7/26).
GOING TO THE GALA: The AP’s Jill Lawless noted Muhammad Ali was “the star of a London charity gala Wednesday that set off the Olympic party season.” A ticket to the Sports for Peace fundraiser at the Victoria and Albert Museum “started at 2,500 pounds ($3,900) a head” (AP, 7/26).
