Olympics Middle and Long Distances

Mo Farah is probably the best hope of Britain winning a medal on the track at the Olympics. The defending 5000m World Champion is a 9/4 (sportingbet/You Win) shot to claim Gold in the 5000m and 13/8 (boylesports) in the 10,000m. Can Mo deliver at London?

Farah on times this year is just 11th in the 5,000m, but the top ten all recorded that time in a race in Paris that Mo did not compete in. Farah was quick to dismiss the significance of the Paris race feeling that the presence of pacemakers was behind the fast time. The Brit also pointed to the fact that the Olympics is a slower run tactical race which will play right into his strengths. Farah deserves respect and at 9/4 the current World Champion looks a good bet. Those who think Farah will not run a good race can get 9/4 (Totesport) that he does not win a medal in this race. The 2011 World Champion Ibrahim Jelian will not feature in the 2012 Olympic Games meaning The Brit is the 13/8 (boylesports) favourite to go one better this time and claim the Gold. Farah must be backed in both races, he might not win both but he just needs to win one at these prices to return a profit. Those looking for a value bet might want to consider the 3/1 (Totesport/betfred) on Wilson Kiprop to gain a medal. The Kenyan won the 10,000m trials in his home nation.

Over in the middle distances the 800m looks to be dominated by David Rushida. The Kenyan is a 1/8 (Stan James) chance to claim victory over the two laps. Rushida is a phenomenal athlete who broke the long standing World Record at the age of 21 (in 2010) and won the World Championship in Daegu last year. This season he has again proven unstoppable recording the four fastest times in the World this year during an unbeaten season. It makes no sense to take on Rushida, so restrict your bets to finding someone to finish in the top three.

The 1500m market is headed by three Kenyans and it should come down to a battle between these. Asbel Kiprop is odds on in some places, but as high as 7/5 with You Win is the favourite. Kiprop is the defending World Champion and holds the fastest time in the World this year. Silas Kiplagat is an 11/4 (Totesport/betfred) chance to claim the gold and reverse his World Championship defeat to Kiprop. Those looking for some value could do worse than getting on the side of Ayanieh Souleiman who is 7/2 (general) for a top three finish. The Botswana runner has some good runs on the Grand Prix circuit this year and could go well if the race is run to suit.

The 3000m Steeplechase has been dominated by the Kenyans who have won the Gold in every Steeplechase they have competed in since 1968 (they boycotted the games in 1976 and 1980) and the top three in the market are from Kenya, Brimin Kipruto is the defending champion and favourite at 6/4 (paddy Power).

The longest event of the distance events is the Marathon which looks like being another battle between the Kenyans and Ethopians. Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich and Ayele Abshero are 13/5 (Totesport/betfred) joint favourites. Kiprotich is the London Marathon winner while Abshero has the fastest time in the World this year.

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25/07/2012     © Frixo 2024