London: The International Olympic Committee is concerned that betting syndicates could target the London 2012 Olympics for match-fixing.
The IOC will monitor betting patterns on all qualifying events as well as the games themselves amid concern at the threat posed by gambling-related corruption.
It has previously monitored betting, at the Beijing 2008 Summer Games and the Vancouver Winter Olympics earlier this year, but London is expected to be the first instance where qualifying events, and the major international federation events in the build-up to the Games such as world championships, are also examined.
IOC President Jacques Rogge has repeatedly warned of the danger to the integrity of the Olympics potentially posed by gambling, in particular the threat that illegal bookmakers could attempt to corrupt athletes.
He first raised the issue as a priority in 2007 after consulting experts in the field including Lord Condon, who stepped down from the chair of the International Cricket Committee's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit.
