German Discus Throwers Handed Suspended Bans for Betting on Teammates

^{Pictured: Steven Richter and Henrik Janssen}

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has imposed sanctions on German discus throwers Henrik Janssen and Steven Richter for breaching rules that prohibit athletes from betting on athletics competitions.

Janssen, 27, and Richter, 22, received three-month suspended bans. Both athletes admitted the violations.

The breaches were linked to the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, in which both athletes competed. During a pre-competition training camp, Janssen discussed bets he had placed on the championships, a conversation that was overheard by other athletes. He was subsequently informed that such activity was prohibited under World Athletics regulations.

During questioning by the AIU, Janssen said he had placed three bets totalling €100. He stated that he became aware of the betting ban only after being alerted by a teammate.

Janssen added that he unsuccessfully attempted to cancel the bets and did not place any further wagers thereafter.

Richter was also informed of the betting prohibition after discussing bets he had placed on the championships. He reported staking €40 and said he made unsuccessful attempts to cancel the wager before refraining from placing any further bets.

The AIU noted that both German athletes had placed bets on their own teammates.

As part of the sanctions, Janssen and Richter are required to complete the International Olympic Committee’s online education programme on the prevention of competition manipulation.

AIU head Brett Clothier said betting rules are a core element of safeguarding integrity in athletics and warned that more severe sanctions could be imposed for similar violations in the future.

Earlier, Gambling Park reported that french tennis player Quentin Folliot banned for 20 years over match-fixing.