Seven years of planning are finally over, 10,000 athletes across 26 different sports are set to compete in the greatest show on Earth: the London 2012 Olympics!
London's third Olympics are set to offer up a hefty 302 gold medals, with athletics offering the most (47) followed closely by swimming (36). As is the case at most Olympics, the bigger the country, the more sizable the investment in training athletes to become medal machines. And fitting with that ethos are China at 11/8, backed to continue their dominance from the last games and top the gold medal table, USA (8/15) are a close second, with Russia and Team GB following at 50/1. Home-nation Great Britain were blessed with a shower of medals in Bejing in 2008 and it is widely predicted that they will top their previous total of 47. Who knows they could go further; quite often home nations do well in the medals table, perhaps because they are spurred on by strong home support, so the Brits could be worth a shot.
The most eagerly anticipated event of the games will be the 100m, where Jamaican Usain Bolt (8/11) is favourite, despite being defeated by fellow countryman, Yohan Blake (13/8) in the recent Jamaican trials. Blake at 22 is three years younger than Bolt and appears to be his biggest threat, but I expect that experience will help world 100m record holder Bolt clinch victory. American Tyson Gay (14/1) should not be ruled out either; he along with Blake is one of three men ever to beat Bolt and holds a hefty catalogue of gold medals. If you are feeling patriotic, why not go for Brit Dwayne Chambers, a long outsider at 200/1. The sprinter is making a return to the Olympics following an eight-year drugs ban, which was lifted this year, and at age 34 you can bet he will want to impress, in what will probably be his last games.
Poster-girl Jessica Ennis at 8/11 is widely tipped to take home the Heptathlon gold for Team GB and claim her first Olympic gold. The golden girl of the sport missed out in 2008 in Beijing through injury but is in fine form this season, setting a new personal best in May, and will be hard to beat. Her nearest rival, Tatyana Chernova, has proven she has the ability to beat Ennis, having done so at last summer’s World Championships, and with Ennis struggling with her long jump recently – she should not be ruled out at 5/2.
In cycling Brit Bradley Wiggins (11/8) is number one contender to take home the Time Trial. Earlier this month he collected the Tour de France trophy, the first Brit to ever do so. He may face stiff competition from Switzerland’s, Fabian Cancellara (14/1) – a man who collected four consecutive gold’s at the World Championships between 2006 and 2010, and who Wiggins took the yellow jersey off at the Tour de France. Frenchman Gregory Bauge, is strong favourite to take the Olympic Sprint event, and will be buoyed after his success in the World Championships in April, where Brit Jason Kenny came second. Kenny (5/2) is not a bad punt either. He has gained quite a name for himself in recent years, so much so that he has replaced sprint champion Sir Chris Hoy to compete, following his defeat of Hoy in the semi-finals at the World Championships.
The immaculate lawns of Wimbledon will again be opened up to the public for Olympic tennis, only three weeks after Roger Federer collected his record-equalling seventh title there. And who could bet against Federer (13/8) taking home the glory on the courts he has become such a specialist on. World-number-two Novak Djokovic (7/4), as a player who has reached the finals of five tournaments on the tour, should not be discounted either. And If you fancy a flutter on the two head-to-head, Djokovic is at evens and Federer 8/11. Brit Andy Murray (5/1) will be desperate to bounce back from his Wimbledon final defeat to Federer, and could be given an easier passage through to the final – due to sensation Rafael Nadal dropping out through fitness and injury woes. Following his impressive displays at Wimbledon and having the home crowd advantage in his favour, he is one player that should not be written off, and one we tip to clinch gold.
Women’s marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe, try as she might, has not been able to grasp her Holy Grail: an Olympic gold. And following a poor time in the Austrian half marathon in April, which she couldn’t explain, indications suggest it is to big an ask to see her on the podium. Paula’s career has been blighted by injuries and has kept her from realising her true potential on the big stage. Depending what Paula shows up though, she could pull out a big performance, and if you are feeling hopeful, you can back her at to win at 25/1.
In the football there are two pre-tournament finalist favourites: Brazil and Spain. Both have a wealth of talent; Spain, although without the bulk of their Euro 2012 winning squad, still have the likes of Juan Mata, Javi Martinez and David De Gea; And Brazil boast players like Hulk, Alexandre Pato, Oscar and probably the player of the tournament in Naymer. Brazil are offered at narrow odds at 10/11, while Spain come in slightly better at 4/1. For a decent long shot you could go for Stuart Pearce’s Great Britain (11/1), who are playing at their first Olympics since 1912. The English side boasts top-level players like Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards and should breeze through their group,which consists of Senegal, UAE and Uruguay.
In the pool, Camille Muffat is predicted by many to be winner of the 800m freestyle, so surprise odds of 12/1 for her to win a medal could prove to be a good investment. Whilst for the men, Michael Phelps looks likely to be dominant across the board. The American took seven gold medals in Beijing and will be hoping to add to that tally again and he has every right to expect that to happen. One man who is a likely contender for Phelps is Ryan Lochte – a young hot shot fresh out of the American swimming academy – and tipped to be the next big thing in the sport. A swimmer, who Phelps only managed to beat 3 – 1 in the finals of trials. If you think he can put up a decent display in his first games, then consider juicy odds of 1/100 for him to claim a medal in the Men’s 400m and 200 Individual Medley.
Away from the drama of the competitive events, there are several light hearted betting options concerning the opening ceremony. The ceremony costs 27 million and will be watched by billions across the world, but the big question on everybody’s lips is who will light the Olympic flame to open the games? Well, Sir Roger Bannister comes in top at 13/8, but I would not overlook outsider David Beckham at 7/1. David was recently snubbed by Team GB Olympic football team manager Stuart Pearce, which shocked many as he helped Britain win the original bid for the games in 2005. As a good will gesture then, LOCOG could well find him a consolation role here. Another humorous but equally profitable punt is on the colour of the Queen’s hat. Will it be the favoured orange/peach at 2/1, light blue at 4/1 or a wilder cream and white option at 9/1? The choice is yours!
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Click to ClaimChris is a freelance Sports Journalist with a Masters in Journalism. Chris contributes articles to Howtobet4free focusing on major upcoming Sporting events.
