The Olympics is not normally a sporting event associated with betting, however, betting on athletics has become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to a growing number of online bookmakers offering bets on elite track and field events along with many of the other sports now part of the Olympic games.
The 2008 Olympic games, which are being held in Beijing get under way on Friday 8th August and fans of the games will be hoping to see many records broken across the 302 events, spanning 28 different sports. For many, the Olympics are the greatest sporting spectacle in the World and bookmakers are already predicting that the one record guaranteed to be broken is the number of bets placed on the two week games. Some of the biggest names in the sports betting industry are already reporting good levels of interest on the betting markets for the various events as well as which nationality will top the Olympic Medal winning table.
As the opening ceremony nears, the most popular bet being placed is on which country will win the most medals. Olympic host country China are the 4/5 favourties to win this prestigoius honour having won 34 Golds at the 2004 Olympic Games. This was second behind the USA who won 38 in Athens, but it is expected that China will better their haul this time around, especially with home advantage. The United States are Even money to finish with the most medals for the fourth consecutive Olympic Games whilst Russia are 18/1 and if you fancy any other nation to win bookmaker Bet365 are offering odds of 100/1 that another nation wins the accolade.
The most popular events at the games for betting are the track events and the one which always attracts the biggest TV audience is the Mens 100 metre final. The favourite in this event is Jamaican Sprinter Usain Bolt, who is the current World Record holder (9.72 s) and odds of 6/4 with Paddy Power to win gold. Fellow Jamaican, Asafa Powell and American, Tyson Gay, are the two threats in the betting at odds of 9/4 and 2/1 respectively, whilst all other entrants are available at odds of 25/1 or bigger.
View Paddypower's full list of Olympic Betting Opportunities and claim a £30 free bet on the games
The attention of the Great British public will be very much on Tom Daley, the 14 year old Diver, who will be bidding for Gold medal glory in the Mens 10 metre platform event. He is the current British and European Champion in his discipline and has attracted plenty of media interest in the build up to the games. If he wins, you can be certain that he will go on to be the Sports Personality of the year.
Football is also sure to prove a popular betting event at the games, with some of the best known countries in the World and many familiar names from the Premier League set to fight it out for Olympic Gold. Current Champions Argentina, along with Brazil currently head the betting at odds of 15/8 and 9/4 respectively, whilst Italy and Holland have also entered and are available at odds of 9/1. Other countries, including many of the African nations, who have performed particulary well at the Olympics in recent times are all on offer at odds of 20/1 or bigger.
The Olympic Games are a fascinating spectacle and should be enjoyed as a an opportunity to marvel in the elite athletic performances of the many competitors in the various events. However, for many, it also provides great betting opportunites and the chance to increase levels of interest in the events. Bookmakers are gearing up for the the games by offering a a huge number of markets across all events. It is certainly worthwhile checking out the various odds on offer across the different bookmakers recommended by Betting Directory and the free Olympic Bets they have on offer to new customers.
Posted: Monday, 4th August 2008
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