Unfinished venues, sparse accommodation, the Ziko virus and a ban on the athletes of one of the biggest nations on Earth. Organisers of this year’s Summer Olympics have had plenty to contend with and will probably be glad when the action finally gets under way at the end of this week.
Security will be tight for the opening ceremony and competition itself, though Brazil hasn’t been a particular target of terrorists in the past. Crime in Rio de Janeiro is a long-standing problem, however, and having athletes and spectators from more than 140 countries will make life tough for the Brazilian police and army.
Russia’s partial expulsion has overshadowed preparations for Rio. There are no odds about the number of medals that the Russians will take home but most other major countries are covered by Ladbrokes, who have priced up the Total Gold Medals, Total Medals and Colour Of Medal Most Won from then hosts to the two nations expected to head the medal table – China and the USA.
Brazil are 5/6 to win more than eight gold medals with China the same odds to win more than 34 gold medals. The cut off for profit on the USA is 41 gold medals.
Great Britain won a best-ever 29 gold medals in London four years ago and collected 17 silvers and 19 bronze though did, of course, have home advantage. Ladbrokes offer 4/5 that Team GB win more gold than silver and bronze in Rio.
The athletics are what most people look forward to. Ladbrokes are also currently the best odds on Britain’s Mo Farah successful defending his 5000m title (1/3). Farah is a best 2/7 with sportingbet to win the 10000m but there is also been strong support for Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor. The Kenyan was runner-up to Farah in last year’s World Championships in Beijing and is again fancied to pose the biggest threat.
Greg Rutherford is 9/4 with Betfred to make a successful defence of his long jump title while bookmakers are expecting a 1-2 for Team GB in the women’s heptathlon. Jessica Ennis-Hill, the golden girl of British athletics, is a best 13/8 to win gold again but her younger rival Katarina Johnson-Thompson is only a best 9/4 and will push Hill all the way if nerves don’t get the better of her. Brianne Theisen-Eaton is only 3/1 to beat both and take centre spot on the podium.
The evergreen Usain Bolt and ‘Flying Dutchwoman’ Dafne Schippers are favourites to win the blue riband event, the 100m, at a best 8/13 and 9/4 respectively.
