Event # 1 – Paris Olympics 2024

With the Paris Olympics set to run off in nine days’ time, we take a look at some of the medal hopefuls.

Firstly, Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson — A lot of people might not have known the name Kishane Thompson before the recently concluded Jamaica National Trials. However, after speeding to a world-leading 9.77s to become the ninth-fastest male sprinter in history, and the fourth-fastest Jamaican in the 100m, with Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake, and Usain Bolt the only men to boast quicker times. Indeed, he is now the toast of the sprinting world. At 22 years old, Kishane is set to compete in his first Olympics Games, in only his second year as a professional athlete. One advantage that Kishane Thompson has heading into the Paris 2024 Olympics is his coach, none other than the legendary Stephen “Franno” Francis, who knows what it takes to mould an Olympic champion, having coached the last four women’s 100m Olympic champions.

USA Noah Lyles – The reigning world champion in the 100 metres had been touted as the favourite to win the 100m at the Paris Olympics, but the emergence of Kishane Thompson this season has oddsmakers now viewing it as a two-horse race. Lyles ran a personal best of 9.83s to win the world title at the World Championship in August 2023; however, he hasn’t run faster since and was beaten by Jamaica Oblique Seville at the Jamaican International meet this year, running 9.85s for second place to Seville’s 9.82s. That being said, Lyles could make history at Paris 2024 if he can replicate the dominance he showed at the World Championship last year, by winning the 100m and 200m double. There’s genuine belief that he could be this generation’s Usain Bolt, who dominated the short sprints for a long time. Indeed, Bolt was the first man in 50 years to secure double wins in the 100m and 200m events at the World Championships and Olympics Games, and Lyles will be targeting that same feat this year, but standing in his way are Jamaicans Kishane Thompson and Oblique Seville.

Jamaica’s Stacey-Ann Williams — Justbet’s brand ambassador Stacey-Ann Williams will be making her first individual Olympic appearance for Jamaica and has her sights set on breaking the 50-second barrier in her quest to secure her first individual medal at the Olympics. Williams finished second at the Jamaican trials to book her spot on the team, having missed out for three consecutive years, and was overjoyed and relieved at finally achieving one of her lifelong milestones. Amazingly, Stacey-Ann has finished fourth in the last three years, but her perseverance and hard work have paid off. She warmed up for the Paris games by winning the 400m event in Switzerland in midweek, clocking 50.58s, having ran 50.56s, a season best, at the Jamaica National Trials. In addition to the individual 400m that she will be contesting, Williams will form part of a formidable 4X400m relay team, comprising of national champion Nickisha Pryce 48.89s (the Jamaican record), and Junelle Bromfield 50.74s, a personal best done in June 2024.

USA Gabby Thomas — The second fastest 200-metre sprinter in USA history, looks set to win the gold medal at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games. Her personal best is 21.60s done in July 2023, which makes her the fourth fastest in history, behind world record holder Florence Griffith-Joyner (21.34s), Shericka Jackson (21.41s), and Elaine Thompson Herah (21.53s). With the Jamaicans not at their best in the 200 metres so far this season, Thomas is poised to win the gold medal, having ran 21.78s in the USA Olympics trials, the fastest time in the world this year. With that said, Thomas is the reigning Olympic bronze medallist in the 200 metres, and also the silver medallist at the world championship in the same event last August.

Betting odds

100 metres men

Kishane Thompson – $2.15

Noah Lyles – $3.10

Oblique Seville – $8.00

200 metres Woman

Gabby Thomas – $2.30

Shericka Jackson – $3.10

Julien Alfred – $6.00

100 metres women

Sha’Carri Richardson – $1.61

Shericka Jackson – $5.20

Julien Alfred – $8.00

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce – $13.00

400 metres women

Marileidy Paulino – $1.35

Natalia Kaczmarek – $4.50

Rhasidat Adeleke – $5.60

Nickisha Pryce – $13.00