Rio Olympics 2016 Betting Preview: Main Events

From the Zika virus to Russian doping, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro have already courted controversy. However, the very essence of the Olympics is overcoming adversity in attaining monumental feats, which is why recent events should not overshadow what is certain to be another thrilling athletic spectacle.
With more than 300 events scheduled across 42 disciplines, there is a wealth of action to keep track of. So for your convenience, here’s a round-up of the main events to watch out for.
Usain Bolt in the 100m and 200m
Jamaican Usain Bolt became a legend when he won the 100m and 200m races at London 2012, having already won both races at Beijing 2008. At Rio, the Montego Bay native will be 29 years old, making this the last Olympics of his 20s. Even Bolt cannot outrun the ageing process, as he realised when he tore his hamstring at the Jamaican trials.
Despite this setback, Bolt was able to regain enough fitness to win the 200m at the London Anniversary Games in 19.89 seconds. No mean feat. That being said, the sprinter will need to improve if he is to reach his target time of sub-19 seconds.
Bolt currently holds the 100m and 200m world records, but an improvement in the latter is his main goal. Although he had a winning return, Bolt drew little comfort from his London performance:
"I wasn’t that impressed…I don’t want to see it again."
Whether or not he can continue his superhuman streak will arguably be the story of the games. For those who believe he can, Ladbrokes has priced Bolt at 4/9 for the 100m final on 14 August (02:25 BST) and 2/5 for the 200m on 19 August (02:35 BST).
Mo Farrah in the 5,000m and 10,000m
Team GB’s Mo Farrah is another runner who aims to defend two titles in Rio, with the 33-year-old preparing for the 5,000m and 10,000m races. If Farrah manages it, then he would be the first in 40 years – the last was Finland's Lasse Viren in 1976.
Among some analysts, there is a greater belief in Farrah winning his two races than for Bolt. This is because Farrah has maintained superb form following London 2012, having won nine of 12 races in the 5,000m and all five 10,000m outings. Most recently, Farrah clocked in at 12 minutes and 59.29 seconds, cruising to victory in the 5,000m at the Anniversary Games.
In Rio, the 10,000m men’s final will take place on 13 August (01:55 BST), with bet365 pricing Farah at 1/4. Seven days later, the 5,000m final will be hosted on 20 August (01.30 BST), while bet365 has again offered 1/4 on Farrah winning gold.
Track and Field Finals
Saturday 13 August will reveal four of the early track and field gold medals, including the men’s long jump final (00:50 BST), men’s 10,000m (01:55 BST), women’s 100m (02:35 BST) and women’s heptathlon (02:45 BST), which will feature London 2012 champion Jessica Ennis-Hill.
Three more finals are planned for Sunday 14 August, with the Women’s triple jump (00:55 BST), men’s 400m (02:00 BST) and men’s 100m (02:25 BST) to look forward to. Another big day will be Wednesday 17 August, when three women’s finals will be held, including the long jump (01:15 BST), 200m (02:30 BST) and 100m hurdles (02:55 BST).
For track and field odds, bet365 has compiled a long list of markets.
Top Swimming Finals
The first of the big swimming medals will be decided on Saturday 6 August, with the 400m individual medley finals for both men and women starting at 02:00 BST. A day later, the men’s 100m breaststroke and women’s 400m freestyle will start at 02:00 BST on Sunday 7 August.
On Monday 8 August, fans will get to watch finals for the women’s 100m backstroke and men’s 200m freestyle from 02:00 BST. The pool-based action will continue throughout the week, with medallist Michael Phelps (USA) expected to compete in the 200m individual medley on Thursday 11 August (02:00 BST) and 100m butterfly on Friday 12 August (02:00 BST).
Visit Ladbrokes now to find a wide array of swimming odds.
Olympic Football Frontrunners
Following Euro 2016 and the Copa América, it’s certainly time for the women to shine in Rio. Ahead of the women’s football final on Friday 19 August (21:30 BST), the USA is seen as the team to beat, having won the World Cup a year ago.
Meanwhile, the men’s final will be decided on Saturday 20 August (21:30 BST), with Brazil eager to claim the only major football crown eluding the nation. In pursuit of glory on home soil, Brazil forward Neymar chose to rest during the Copa América and ensure he would be in peak condition.
When the 2016 Olympics begin, Coral will have the very latest odds on all matches and medals. With so much action for bettors to enjoy, the only question is: who will you put your money on?
Recommended Betting Sites
- 1
100% Welcome Bonus up to £50 Promo Code: TONY50
18+ New Players only. For free bet wagering requirements and minimum odds read T&C’s. www.begambleaware.org Terms Apply In order to activate this bonus on the personal TonyBet account, please, enter the bonus code TONY50 when a deposit is made and wager your deposit 10 times on betting markets with odds of at least 1.65 within 30 days. This offer is available to new players who made the first deposit. All players must be 18+ years old and of a required legal age to gamble. Odd/even, no action (bets made on both sides of the same bet), cancelled bets, replicated bets and bets that have had their odds equated to 1 are not included into the bonus wagering. - 2
Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets + £10 Casino Bonus Promo Code: 30FB
Minimum deposit of £10 using deposit code 30FB - A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £10 placed on any sports market - Minimum odds of 1/2 (1.5) - Free bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days - Free bet stakes not included in returns - Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager bonus amount x40 within 14 days • Wagering req. vary by game • Withdrawal restrictions and Full T&C’s apply - Full Terms Apply - 3
Bet £10, Get £10 in Free Bets
18+ New Players only. For free bet wagering requirements and minimum odds read T&C’s. www.begambleaware.org Terms Apply 18+. New UK customers only. Min bet £10 to receive £10 Free Bet (placed and settled 35 days from registration). Min odds of 3/5. Free Bet credited at qualifying bet settlement and placed within 35 days. T&C's apply. Please gamble responsibly, www.begambleaware.org - Full Terms Apply - 4
Get up to £100 in Free Bets + up to 100% in Boosts
18+ New Players only. For free bet wagering requirements and minimum odds read T&C’s. www.begambleaware.org Terms Apply 18+, New customers only. Deposit + bet £20-£100. Must Deposit £50 and opt in for marketing preferences for Boosts. Boosts credited 24 hours after deposit. Full T&Cs apply. Begambleware.org - 5
Open Account Offer - Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365
Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. 18+. New players only. www.begambleaware.org - Full Terms Apply - 6
Bet £10, Get £10
18+ New Players only. For free bet wagering requirements and minimum odds read T&C’s. www.begambleaware.org Terms Apply 18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit,: £10, max £10 free bet valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible. Full T&Cs apply. - 7
EXCLUSIVE: Bet £10, Get £10
18+ New Players only. For free bet wagering requirements and minimum odds read T&C’s. www.begambleaware.org Terms Apply 18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit,: £10, max £10 free bet valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets not eligible. Neteller,Skrill and Paypal not eligible. T&Cs apply - 8
Bet £200, Get £100 in Free Bets Promo Code: FBWELS
18+ New Players only. For free bet wagering requirements and minimum odds read T&C’s. www.begambleaware.org Terms Apply 18+ New UK customers only; 6x wager requirement with 90 day expiry; Only sports bets contribute to wagering; Min. 2 selections at 1.4 min odds per selection; Max £100 per bet. 18+. T&C's Apply. Please bet responsibly. begambleaware.org - 9
Bet £20, Get £10
18+ New Players only. For free bet wagering requirements and minimum odds read T&C’s. www.begambleaware.org Terms Apply 18+ New Customers Only. Minimum Deposit and wagering on sport to activate the Free Bet is £20. Customers who deposit using Neteller, Paysafe, Skrill or Skril 1-Tap will not be eligible for any free bet offer.BeGambleaware.org - 10
Bet £10, Get £20 in Free Bets
Stay In The Loop With Free Bets, Insider Tips & More!
Live Betting. Sports Promos. Sent Weekly.