Olympics Betting
Update 12

Womens Shot Put

Ostapchuk is the odds-on favourite but I wouldn't go diving in. Back in Athens, she led the qualifying with the best distance of the day, but couldn't repeat it in the final and bombed out after two rounds. She has four of the top five 'puts' this year, all in the past ten weeks, and four of the top six last year. Mikhnevich has the one throw in amongst that five but nothing else close. The Kiwi Valerie Vili is the big danger to the favourite, having beaten the favourite at the World Championships in Osaka last year.

The vast majority of Ostapchuk's record seem to be at home or very close by. Now that could mean there aren't a lot of international events for female shot putters, that the government doesn't let her out very often or that their testing isn't exactly the most stringent. I don't know. But I do know I'd rather be against her than for her. Vili is solid, Mikhnevich can pull out a big throw and Steinert is consistent just under the 20m mark. If Vili was available at 4, I'd take some of that too.

Lay Ostapchuk 1pt at up to 1.75

Mens 100m

Usain Bolt was simply awesome in the heat running 9.92 and easing up long before the line. Powell had something left too but I don't think he has as much scope as Bolt. 1.3 or so sounds right, but I would considering laying him if it went any shorter. Powell is still quality and hamstrings pop on elite athletes regularly.

Gay looks to be struggling and Thompson seemed to do it pretty easy. Gay might just miss the podium and Thompson might be the one to replace him. No sign of place only markets though. I'd take Thompson at 5 for the place if available.

No chance of an update between semis and the final unfortunately. I reckon we might see a world record in this but I can't see much value in betting on that at odds-on.

No bet.

Womens Marathon

Impossible to line up an Olympic marathon with none of the top 50 or so times run this year, and few of these athletes will have run more than one full race this year. I can't see Radcliffe winning off a limited preparation, but beyond that, the answer's a pineapple.

No bet.

Womens Hockey: Korea v China

I expect China to come up odds-on in this match but not sure why. They're solid but not brilliant. If you can lay them at 1.75 or shorter, you've got a good deal.

Lay China 1.75 or shorter for 1pt.

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