Olympics / Editor / 05 August 2008 / Leave a comment Bet Now

America, Russia and Kenya shared the honours in the track and field in Athens; can they repeat the dose in Beijing?

How it works

It works in so many ways - running, walking, jumping, throwing and crying to the national anthem.

Athletes compete in a total of forty seven events, twenty four for men and twenty three for women. They include track, field, a combination of both - the heptathlon and decathlon - and road events.

Both the track and field events have preliminary heats to determine the finalists. In some cases, particularly the sprints, a second round and semi-finals are required to whittle the field down.
Countries who meet the designated 'A qualifying standard' may enter three athletes per event and those who reach the 'B qualifying standard' are eligible to enter just one.

Who'll do well

America have long ruled athletics and topped the medal table in Athens in 2004. USA's men's and women's teams ended with a collective tally of twenty five medals - eight gold, twelve silver and five bronze. In the men's 100, 200 and 400 metre sprints, the USA won all but one of the nine medals. America also collected fourteen golds at the world championships in 2007 and barring major shocks will blow the field away in Beijing.

Russia are the only real threat to America's supremacy, finishing with just five fewer medals than the USA in 2004. Though unable to compete with USA on the track, Russia have a wealth of talent in the women's field events and won twelve of their twenty medals, including five golds in the nine field disciplines.

Middle and long distance track events belong to the African nations. Kenya secured a 1-2-3 in the men's 3000 metre steeplechase in 2004, whilst Ethiopia, Morocco and Kenya shared seven of nine medals in the men's 1500, 5000 and 10000 metres.

Great Britain finished third in the athletics medal table in Athens, due in no small part to the heroics of double gold medallist Kelly Holmes. There will be no Dame Kelly this time round and in the absence of injured heptathlete Jessica Ennis, a fit Paula Radcliffe may well be Great Britain's best hope of a medal. For the likes of heptathlete Kelly Sotherton and triple jumper Phillips Idowu this summer will be their last chance of Olympic glory.
Twenty two nations secured at least one gold medal in Athens and no fewer than forty nations registered at least one medal.

What makes it interesting?

The wealth of talent on show, the intense rivalries and the drug allegations make athletics the most intriguing of all Olympic events.

Jamaica's new world record holder, Usain Bolt will look to upstage the Americans in the 100 metres. America secured three of the first four places in the men's 100 metres in Athens.

Providing the athletes manage to breathe in China's smog, world records are expected to tumble and there will no doubt be a drugs scandal for the world's media to enjoy at some point. There is also much anticipation of China's performance. While not traditionally known for their track and field prowess (just five golds in Olympic history), the hosts have invested enormously in the hope of improving on their two track golds in Athens (in the men's 110 metres hurdles, and women's 10,000 metres.)

British fans can look forward to the men's 4x100 relay. Though the British team are not quick enough to challenge for medals individually, with a baton in their hands they're world class. Looking to retain their title from 2004, Britain's quartet, whoever they may be, will need America to display their famously dismal baton changing skills if they're going to succeed.
Why bet on it: Athletics has proven itself to be one of the most reliable sports when it comes to trends. America always dominate the men's sprints and Ethiopia always medal in the men's 10,000 metres.

The vast array of sports on offer virtually guarantees upsets, particularly in the less predictable women's competition. Kelly Holmes was by no means expected to scoop double Olympic gold four years ago and America's women will have been disappointed by just one gold in the individual track events.

America are undoubtedly the smart money to come out on top yet again, particularly after Russia's disappointing showing at the world championships in Osaka. Russia scooped just four golds in 2007, ten less than their American counterparts.