The opening ceremonies for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics in Beijing will be held August 8. Oddsmakers from online sports book SBG Global have established odds on how many medals each country will win in Beijing.
As it currently stands, oddsmakers favor China (4/5) and the United States (11/10) to win the most overall medals at the Summer Olympics. Russia was given 14/1 odds, while every other country is listed at 50/1.Oddsmakers also like China (2/5) and the United States (13/8) to win the most gold medals, with Russia the next favorite at 25/1.
The over/under on total medals for the United States has been established at 92.5 (-120), while the over/under for total medals for China has been set at 94.5 (-120).
The 2008 Summer Olympics will be held in Beijing, China this year, with the total number of events set at 302. Opening ceremonies will be conducted August 8, while the closing ceremonies will conclude August 24.
For all countries’ individual prop odds for total medals won, see below.
Beijing Olympics 2008 - Most Overall Medals Which nation will win the most overall medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games? Dead Heat rules apply
China 4/5
United States 11/10
Russia 14/1
Any Other Nation 50/1
Beijing Olympics 2008 - Most Gold Medals Which nation will win the most Gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games? Dead Heat rules apply
China 2/5
United States 13/8
Russia 25/1
Any Other Nation 50/1
Beijing Olympics 2008 - Total USA Medals A prediction of the total amount of Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals USA will win
USA - Over 92.5 Medals -120
USA - Under 92.5 Medals -120
Beijing Olympics 2008 - Total China Medals A prediction of the total amount of Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals China will win.
China - Over 94.5 Medals -120
China - Under 94.5 Medals -120
Beijing Olympics 2008 - Total Russia Medals A prediction of the total amount of Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals Russia will win.
Russia - Over 79.5 Medals -130
Russia - Under 79.5 Medals -110
Beijing Olympics 2008 - Total Australia Medals A prediction of the total amount of Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals Australia will win.
Australia - Over 43.5 Medals -120
Australia - Under 43.5 Medals -120
Beijing Olympics 2008 - Total Japan Medals A prediction of the total amount of Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals Japan will win.
Japan - Over 33.5 Medals -120
Japan - Under 33.5 Medals -120
Beijing Olympics 2008 - Total Great Britain Medals A prediction of the total amount of Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals Great Britain will win.
Great Britain - Over 27.5 Medals -150
Great Britain - Under 27.5 Medals +110
Olympic bets: Have the bookmakers got it wrong?
By ALEX SMART
The fast-approaching Beijing Olympics are going to provide clued-up bettors with some strong wagering opportunities.
Sportsbooks are on unfamiliar ground in Olympic events and it is not uncommon to see them get their prices wrong.
I reckon we could well see some great value, either because the “form” is a little unclear, or because the linesmakers may well seriously underestimate an athlete's chances.
Men's 100 M (Track & Field)
The fastest times set in the Men's 100 m this year are: 9.72 Usain Bolt , 9.74 Asafa Powell, 9.77 Asafa Powell, 9.77 Justin Gatlin, 9.77 Asafa Powell, 9.77 Asafa Powell, 9.78 Asafa Powell, 9.79 Maurice Greene, 9.80 Maurice Greene, 9.82 Maurice Greene.
The fastest time set this year has been Jamaican Usain Bolt who set a new world record of 9.72 in New York in May. The 6-foot-5 Bolt is far better known as a 200 meter runner and until now, has been just dabbling in the 100 meters for “speed work.” But Bolt now intends to keep his options open and could well run both distances in Beijing.
The linesmakers were clearly impressed and inserted Usain Bolt as favorite with a +150 quote, just in front of +165 chance Tyson Gay. Lurking right behind these two is Asafa Powell at +300.
On paper, it really is a three-man race as any other athlete is quoted at +1000. But have the books got it right?
Neither Justin Gatlin nor Maurice Greene will be running in Beijing, leaving Powell and Bolt the fastest men in the race. So why is Tyson Gay the favorite?
Powell's problem has in the past been that he has not always produced his top times when he really needed to in the biggest races. The problem with Bolt is that he only just exploded onto the 100 meters scene and watchers are unsure whether he can run like this consistently –or whether he is even certain to run in the 100 in Beijing anyway.
Tyson Gay is getting short odds because he's at least a strong and consistent runner in the top events, if not the outstanding one.
For me, these fastest times cannot be overlooked in an event that is a blast from gun to line and I wouldn't want to be on the third fastest man in the race. Though Bolt currently holds a faster time than Powell, it's only by two hundredths of a second.
Unless any injuries or other news comes to light that may affect performances in the weeks leading up to the games, for my money, it's Powell at what looks an overpriced +300.
Men’s 110M Hurdles
Dayron Robles of Cuba set the world record of 12.87 at a meeting in Ostrava just back on June 12. Although two Americans follow him in the rankings, his main threat is generally regarded as Xiang Liu, whose world record he broke. Robles has very strong claims and is competitively priced at around -120 given he faces some strong completion.
Men’s Decathlon
Bryan Clay of the USA has, like many multi-event Olympians, had trouble with injuries. So much varied punishment to the body has to take its toll. As a result his record may not look that impressive at first sight.
However, if you look closely, you will see that virtually all his poor results are DNF ('Did Not Finish' or, in other words, retired injured).
There is no real current form for this event but Clay did win the heptathlon at the World Indoor Championships earlier in the year. There have been a number of great decathletes who have retired recently (or should have), most notably Roman Sebrle, and Clay should go very well in this.
At present no lines are available, but keep an eye out nearer the time as Clay should be a nice price.
I have a strange idea: football in the Olympics.
Just work with me here because Peyton Manning is agreeing.
This can totally work, and now is the time to proposition the committee to make the change.
Peyton Manning is fully endorsing this campaign and there is a petition online that needs to get filled, so let's get on it!
No links please