Paris 2024 Olympics betting tips: Men's and women's 100m final, swimming, basketball, golf and hockey

Some of the standout moments from the Paris 2024 Olympics could come on the track and in the pool as world-record holders go head-to-head.

Planet Sport has identified a handful of top tips across a variety of events.

 

Men’s 100m final

One of this year's track events highlights the highly anticipated battle between Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, the favourite, and the United States’ Noah Lyles. The Jamaican has yet to lose a race this year and recorded a new personal best in June, clocking 9.77 seconds, which is 0.04 seconds quicker than the American has ever managed. On the other hand, Lyles also produced a career-best in his last race and has at least experienced the pressure of running at the Olympics. 

Suggested bet: Kishane Thompson to win

 

Women’s 100m final

Sha’Carri Richardson is the bookmaker’s favourite to win the women’s 100m final for good reason. The only competitor who has beaten her personal best is Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price, who clocked 10.60 seconds in 2021, but the 37-year-old isn’t going to reproduce that in Paris. Julie Alfred is improving but also won’t match Richardson’s time, leaving Sherica Jackson as chief opposition. The former 400m can match Richardson’s explosive starts and we know she’s a strong finisher on her day. They’ve beaten each other in the past year so it makes sense to take a chance on the bigger price.

Suggested bet: Shericka Jackson to win

 

Men’s Golf

Scottie Scheffler is the bookmaker’s favourite to win gold at the Olympics but The Open winner Xander Schauffele is hot on his tail. Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa and Ludvig Aberg are all priced 13/1 or shorter at the time of writing. There are some big names out in Paris, but the field is notably limited compared to a PGA major. Schauffele produced the goods in Scotland, while Scheffler made some uncharacteristic mistakes. Xander triumphed at Tokyo 2020 and there’s no reason he can’t win again in France.

Suggested bet: Xander Schauffele

 

Men’s Basketball

It feels like a foregone conclusion that Team USA will win the gold medal. Nikola Jokic’s Serbia may provide some opposition in the group stage, but they’ll likely romp to victory in all three group matches. However, we can bet without the favourite, and it’s hard to look beyond Canada, who will also field a side full of NBA players including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray and of course, LeBron James’ nemesis, Dillon Brooks. If the draw falls right, they can get the better of France and be the best of the rest.

Suggested bet: Canada to win (without USA)

 

Men’s & Women’s Hockey

Defending champions Belgium are well-backed to make it two in a row but they’ll face stiff competition from the Netherlands, who typically dominate women’s hockey but are chasing their first men’s gold since 2000. However, Germany, who are with the Netherlands in Pool A, and Australia, who join Belgium in Pool B, represent the gravest threat to the favourites meeting in the final. Even Argentina, Great Britain and India could spring a surprise, so backing the favourites to win their group at even money feels risky. Instead, we’ll take a shot on Australia to steal Pool B on the back of a strong showing in the FIH Pro League. The women’s event is more cut and dry, with only a seismic shock able to stop the Netherlands from claiming another gold medal.

Suggested bets: Australia men to win Pool B, Netherlands to win Women’s Hockey

 

READ MORE: Paris Olympics 2024: Men's football - Teams, players, schedule, gold medal contenders and betting tips