29 JANUARY 2026, MONACO: The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has sanctioned German discus
throwers, Henrik Janssen and Steven Richter, along with French middle-distance runner, Aurore
Fleury, for breaching the World Athletics Integrity Code and Manipulation of Competition (MSC)
rules regarding betting.
In a move that highlights the AIU’s zero-tolerance to betting on the sport by participants, 27
year-old Janssen and 22-year-old Richter were handed three-month suspended bans while 32
year-old Fleury received a six-month ban (from 1 September 2025) and was fined 3 000 Euros
to be donated to charity. All three athletes were charged with violating Integrity Standard 3.3.4
relating to ‘Maintaining Integrity of Competition’ – and they all admitted the violations. The
rules concerning betting prohibit all ‘applicable persons’ from betting on any athletics event.
The cases regarding Janssen and Richter surround last year’s World Athletics Championships in
Tokyo, in which both athletes competed. At a pre-Championships Holding Camp, in Myazaki,
Japan, Janssen was overheard discussing with another athlete bets he had placed on the 13-21
September event. He was informed by a third party that such bets were prohibited. When
interviewed by the AIU, Janssen admitted placing three bets on 16 September totalling 100
Euros but said he was unaware this was prohibited until told so by a teammate. He added that
he tried unsuccessfully to cancel his bets and placed no more bets afterwards.
Richter was also informed that betting was prohibited under World Athletics Rules and
Regulations after he too was overheard discussing his bets on the World Championships. In his
AIU interview, he disclosed that he bet 40 Euros but said he placed no more bets after
unsuccessfully attempting to cancel his initial bet. Both German athletes placed bets on their
teammates.
Meanwhile, Fleury’s case stems from the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome (7-12
June) at which the athlete bet 2 000 Euros on a teammate – and won 5 000 Euros. She
admitted this violation to the AIU but claimed she was unaware it was a breach of World
Athletics Rules and Regulations. Given the amount wagered by Fleury, the case was deemed
more serious.
As part of their sanction, the trio has been ordered to complete the International Olympic
Committee’s Prevention of Competition Manipulation online training, especially after revealing
they had not received any education on the Integrity Code or the MSC Rules. Lack of education
on betting was one of several mitigating factors in arriving at the sanctions, with all three
athletes also offering early admission, demonstrating genuine remorse for their actions and
having previously possessed clean disciplinary records.
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ATHLETICS INTEGRITY UNIT, 1 1 ST FLOOR, 6 QUAI ANTOINE 1ER, MC 98007, MONACO
AIU Head, Brett Clothier, said betting rules are one of the cornerstones of sports integrity as they
are designed to prevent competition manipulation and keep the sport free from corruption.
“World Athletics Rules regarding betting are in place to ensure that the results in our sport are
determined solely on merit. The AIU maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards breaches of the
betting rules as they strike at the heart of the integrity of sport,” declared Clothier.
“These sanctions must serve as a clear reminder to all that there is no place in athletics for this
prohibited activity. Athletes and other participants are on notice that stricter sanctions may
apply in the future. The integrity of our sport is non-negotiable.”
Additionally, Clothier stressed the importance of betting rules and related education reaching
athletes.
“It is incumbent on Member Federations to prioritise athlete awareness of issues like betting
and competition manipulation so they are fully apprised of the strict rules and avoid pitfalls
which may jeopardise their careers. Education cannot be overstated. It is critical,” insisted the
AIU Head.
https://bit.ly/Fleury-Decision
https://bit.ly/JANSSEN-Decision
https://bit.ly/RICHTER-Decision
ABOUT THE ATHLETICS INTEGRITY UNIT
Link: HTTPS://WWW.ATHLETICSINTEGRITY.ORG
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is the independent body created by the World Athletics that
manages all integrity issues – both doping and non-doping – for the sport of athletics. The remit
of the AIU includes anti-doping, the pursuit of individuals engaged in age or competition results
manipulation, investigating fraudulent behaviour with regards to transfers of allegiance, and
detecting other misconduct including bribery and breaches of betting rules. It is the AIU’s role to
drive cheats out of our sport, and to do everything within its power to support honest athletes
around the world who dedicate their lives to reaching their sporting goals through dedication
and hard work.
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