Betfair Official Blog

Olympics Betting: Men's Athletics Day Three - Competitive high jump and a walk in the park for Bekele

Jack Houghton tells us why the men's shot putt is anyone's to win and why the men's 10,000 is Bekele's to lose.

Track and Field Preview - Men - Day Three

Men's High Jump

Although two athletes, Silnov and Holm, stand out on World Bests this year - four and five centimetres ahead of the rest - their prices look short at [2.86] and [3.05] respectively. They might have been on form in the build up to Beijing, but as last year's World Championships demonstrated, there are lots capable of putting in the required leap on any given day. Silnov was only 11th that day, recording a miserable 2.21, with Holm only fourth in 2.33. The value call is to lay both these athletes for 2pts at their current prices.

Men's 10,000m

Three-time World and current Olympic Champion, and multiple World Record holder, Kenenisa Bekele should win the Men's 10,000m with ease. He's run 25 seconds quicker than anyone else this year, which puts him just short of 200m clear of anyone here. He'll win, but I guess [1.21] is too short to account for potential disasters and I'll just be watching.

Summary of advice:

Lay Silnov in Men's High Jump. 2pts at [2.86].
Lay Holm in Men's High Jump. 2pts at [3.05].