Malicious campaign ‘cost sailor a medal’

The Irish Sailing Association believe a “malicious campaign” against sailor Peter O’Leary cost the country a medal at the Olympic Games.

Mr O’Leary was at the centre of a media storm before his first race at the London Olympics amid revelations he had bet on a race at the Beijing Olympics four years earlier.

This week the International Olympic Committee’s Ethics Commission found the Cork sailor was guilty of placing two bets in 2008, contrary to the Code of Ethics, but that his performance could not have had any impact on the result of the Keelboat competition in question. It also noted that awareness of this problem among athletes and sports organisations was not as high as in 2012 and that Mr O’Leary should not face any sanctions other than a warning.