Olympics: TAB betting bid on Games rejected

The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) has knocked back a TAB proposal to allow sports betting on the Athens Olympic Games.

In their newsletter released yesterday, the NZOC said the TAB's proposal was rejected following clear advice from the International Olympic Committee.

"The IOC is clearly opposed to providing any opportunity for sports outcomes to be influenced by any form of betting on results.

The Olympics will be held from August 13-29.

Meanwhile, the council has received 13 applications for the chef de mission's post to the Winter Olympics and another 13 for the Summer Games chef de mission post (Olympics and Commonwealth Games).

The final full board interviews for the Winter chef de mission will be held on August 3, and on September 16 for the Summer Games chef de mission.

- NZPA