Rogge: IOC shouldn't be deluded over illegal bets

LONDON — IOC president Jacques Rogge cautioned Thursday that the Olympic movement should not delude itself about the dangers posed by illegal betting. Despite the International Olympic Committee finding no evidence of corruption at the Vancouver Winter Games in February, Rogge used his end-of-year message to stress the need to "redouble our efforts to safeguard the integrity of sport." "We have made great progress in the fight against doping — we must (be) equally vigilant against the corrupting influence of illegal betting," Rogge said on the IOC website. "We closely monitor betting during the Games and have found no evidence of corruption, but we should not delude ourselves into thinking that it cannot happen. Ensuring that it doesn't will be near the top of the 2011 agenda." Reflecting on 2010, Rogge paid tribute to Nodar Kumaritashvili, the Georgian luger killed during training before the Vancouver Olympics. Kumaritashvili lost control of his sled at nearly 145 kph (90 mph), flew off the course and slammed into a steel pole. "His tragic death cast a sad shadow on these Games," Rogge said. "Measures have been taken to avoid this type of tragedy in the future." – AP