The Olympic Games are one of the oldest sporting events on the planet; Track and Field is the Olympics’ most historic pastime. In other words, the battle for medals in sprints, middle-distance running and field events is as intense as it gets in athletics. That has been the case since the first Olympiad in 1996; the 2024 Paris Games will be no exception.
Track and Field have it all, from the 100-meter dash to the long jump, high jump, javelin, discus and shot put. If there is one signature event, it is unquestionably the 100-meter dash. That determines the unofficial fastest man and fastest woman alive. This year promises to be another showdown between Jamaica and the United States; the former boasts Kishane Thompson and Shericka Jackson, while the latter is led by Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson.
Also, don’t forget about the one event that has it all. The decathlon includes 10 different legs and unofficially crowns the best athlete on the planet. It, too, is a front-and-center staple of the Olympics. On the women’s side, the heptathlon (seven legs) stands in a similar light. Who will wear a gold medal in some of the Olympic Games’ most prestigious disciplines? Let’s take a look at some of the best bets to make.
Five Best Track And Field Bets
- Noah Lyles to win men’s 100 meters
- Sha’Carri Richardson to win women’s 100 meters
- Nickisha Pryce to win women’s 400 meters
- Jakob Ingebrigtsen to win men’s 1500 meters
- Gianmarco Tamberi to win men’s high jump
Lyles Looking For Redemption
Lyles underwhelmed fans in 2021 when the Tokyo Olympics were held following their 2020 postponement by the Covid-19 pandemic. He failed to qualify for the 100 meters at the U.S. trials, and he earned a bronze medal in the 200 despite being the favorite for gold. Fast forward three years, and Lyles – still in his absolute prime at 27 – poised to make amends.
He has been the world’s fastest sprinter in recent seasons, highlighted by golds in the 100 and 200 at the World Championships in Budapest last August. Earlier this month, Lyles delivered a personal-best 9.81 in the 100 at a Diamond League meet in London. The Gainesville, Florida native is a +170 second choice at the upcoming Olympics, giving him great value behind Thompson (a +125 favorite).
It is true that Thompson, the latest Jamaican star on a long list, ran some blistering times at home this summer. However, the 22-year-old has zero experience on the world’s biggest stages – which could give Lyles an advantage.
NOAH LYLES TO WIN THE MEN’S 100 METERS
Richardson Set For USA v Jamaica Showdown
Among athletes who did not compete in the most recent Olympics, nobody made more Tokyo headlines than Richardson. She won the U.S. trials in the 100 meters but was kicked off the team before the Olympics due to a positive marijuana test. Now 24 years old, the former LSU standout looks even better than she did in 2021.
Richardson once again prevailed in the 100 at her country’s trials, doing so in a convincing fashion. In part because of that performance, she is favored at -170 to be the first American woman to win Olympic gold in the 100 since 1996 (Gail Devers). However, Jackson (a +430 second choice) cannot be discounted. The 30-year-old Jamaican won bronze in Tokyo as her nation swept the 100-meter podium, boasting the fifth-fastest time ever at this distance.
SHA’CARRI RICHARDSON TO WIN THE WOMEN’S 100 METERS
The Pryce Is Right
Don’t sleep on Jamaica beyond just the 100 and 200 meters. Nickisha Pryce is coming off a dominant season at the University of Arkansas, where she was the NCAA Champion at 400 meters. It’s safe to say that she is ready to take her talents from college to the big stage. She has already done it.
Pryce just clocked the fastest 400 time in the world at the Diamond League competition in London, eclipsing U.S.A. star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's mark (it’s worth noting that McLaughlin-Levrone is only focusing on the 400-meter hurdles in Paris).
Pryce is a +125 favorite to win gold in the 400, with Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic coming in as a +170 second choice. Paulino won silver medals in both the 400 and 4x400 relay in Tokyo.
NICKISHA PRYCE TO WIN THE WOMEN’S 400 METERS
Ingebrigtson Shines Bright At 1500 Meters
At just 20 years old, Jakob Ingebrigtson was one of the breakout stars at the Tokyo Olympics. He captured gold in the 1500-meter run, setting Olympic and European records. Now closer to his prime at 23, Ingebrigtson has continued to rack up big results and heads into Paris as the favorite to win both the 1500 (-200) and 5000 (-220). And why not?
The Norwegian is a two-time world champion at the 5000 and a four-time European champion (two each in the 1500 and 5000). Earlier this month in Monaco, he became the fourth man to break 3:27 in the 1500. Ingebrigtson has intriguing value as a relatively short favorite in that event at the Paris Games. Great Britain’s Josh Kerr (+200) was the 1500 bronze medalist in Tokyo, finishing less than a second behind Ingebrigtson.
JAKOB INGEBRIGTSON TO WIN THE MEN’S 1500 METERS
Tamberi Not Fit To Be Tied This Time
One of the defining moments of the Tokyo Games came in the men’s high jump. Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi and Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim simply would not miss as the bar continued to get higher and higher. Finally, both failed to clear the same height and mutually agreed to share gold.
Three years later, Tamberi is the favorite (+160), and Barshim is a +300 second choice, along with New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr. Tamberi cemented his status as the man to beat by winning the recent European Championships in Rome – clearing a record-setting 2.37 meters.
GIANMARCO TAMBERI TO WIN THE MEN’S HIGH JUMP
