International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge has condemned an apparent betting coup on the identity of the Australian flagbearer at London 2012.
Basketball player Lauren Jackson was backed from 30/1 to 2/1 overnight before being announced as the athlete to carry the flag at the opening ceremony.
There have been suggestions that athletes may have been involved in the seemingly well-informed betting but, if so, Rogge pointed out that no rules had been broken.
But with athletes forbidden from gambling on sporting events at the Games, the Belgian conceded he was not comfortable with the suggestion.
Rogge said: "I would say for the spirit of the law, definitely it's not good.
"The letter of the law is not breached but you shouldn't bet on that.
"It has nothing to do with the sport result. It is not having something to do with the manipulation of the competition, but I feel unease and disrespect."
On the subject of betting and match-fixing, Rogge said there will be thorough monitoring.
He said: "There is a rule that the athletes cannot bet on competitions being held during Olympic Games, that's a rule in the Olympic charter.
"We are opposed to gambling on sports results, so the match-fixing is what we definitely want to fight about.
"We have a unit here in London made up by specialists and this unit will monitor all the matches and all the competitions and if something is suspect they will advise us."
There had been much speculation about who would be awarded the Australian flagbearing role.
Jackson, 31, was given the honour having been a member of the Opals team that has won silver medals at the last three Olympics.
Jackson said: "I just can't believe it, not for one minute did I expect this to happen and I am just really pleased it has. I'm delighted to get this role.
"The support has been overwhelming and the people closest to me are so happy and excited."
Australia chef de mission Nick Green said: "Congratulations to Lauren on this amazing honour.
"Our prime minister has sent her a message saying she's very proud, as has the leader of the opposition.
"There has been a lot of speculation online on who it will be, but Lauren is an amazing choice.
"She is a natural leader and I can't wait to see her leadership qualities show over the next two weeks."
