2012 Olympics Betting Odds
2012 Olympics Betting Odds
by Touthouse.com
The United States can be backed at -125 betting odds (4/5) to win less than 39 gold medals in total at this year’s 2012 Olympics Games in London. That nation is also short priced favourites at -225 ( 4/9) to win more gold medals than any other country in the Games, with China the only other country given any chance of having the biggest gold medal haul.
In the last ten Games that the States appeared they have won more than 38 medals on just two occasions and one of those was at the Los Angeles Games in 1984. Disregarding those Games and the Atlanta Games of 1996 as home advantage distorts the figures, America’s average haul has been 37 medals. That means the statistics suggest backing under 38.5 could be the best bet.
The United States have won the most gold medals at the last two Games. The form suggests they can repeat that achievement this summer. In fact the finishing positions behind America from Beijing of China, Russia then Great Britain could well be repeated. However, Britain have targeted third pace in the medals table and the support of the crowd could see them achieve that objective.
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The highlight of the Olympics Games for many is the final of the men’s 100 metres. This is the Blue Riband event of the athletics programme and the winner can be known as the fastest man in the world. Usain Bolt is the clear favourite to win the 100 metres for the second time in his career but compatriot Johan Blake will have many backers at +162.5 (13/8).
Bolt lost a 100 metres race for the first time in two years at the Jamaica Olympic trials in June. Blake beat him on that occasion and he could do the same in the Olympic final. Blake then ran the fastest rime of the year at 200 metes two days later. Bolt missed key races earlier in the season and his involvement in a recent car crash has also raised doubts about his prospects for this year’s Olympics.
In men’s basketball United States look an absolute certainty to win the gold medal and
-700 (1/7) looks about right. This event should involve the eight best teams in the world. However, Great Britain have taken up the option of entering a team as hosts and somehow Tunisia qualified for the competition. Spain have a strong domestic league but it would be a major surprise if they were to beat USA to win the gold medal.
There is currently a debate as to whether this year’s Olympic squad would beat the so called Dream Team that included Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. The Dream Team would have a size advantage when attacking but this year’s squad contains several Al Stars. Whichever is the better side Team USA for London 2012 cannot be opposed in betting markets to win the gold medal this year.
Fencing, archery and shooting will provide USA with medal prospects. The country has won 103 Olympic shooting medals, including 50 golds. The London team, subject to trials, is expected to include four Olympic champions. The skeet competition could produce a US winner. The two competitors will be making most of the knowledge they gained in the US Army Marksmanship Unit.
US fencers won six medals in Beijing and they could win more than that this year. The United States is the only country that qualified the maximum of 16 fencers for the London Olympics. USA have major chances in individual and team events. The US has not won a medal in archery since 2000 but they have a leading contender to win the individual gold medal this year.
Swimming has traditionally been a strong sport for the United States at the Olympics. Mark Spitz won seven gold medals in Mexico City in 1972. The best swimmer in the current US squad is clearly Michael Phelps and his chances will be examined in a separate article. The US has won almost half of the gold medals in Olympic swimming and one third of the total medals. The relay squads look strong and the country can maintain that strike rate this year, especially with Phelps’ contribution adding substantially to the tally.
