Howard Campbell, Gleaner WriterFOLLOWING HIS easy win in the quarter-finals of the men's 100 metres yesterday, Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt is the big favourite to win the final today, on day eight of the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Up to Thursday, Bolt was the 6-4 favourite by British bookmakers but, after yesterday's emphatic victory, the odds have been lowered to 1-5.
"All around the world the buzz is that Usain Bolt will break the record and win the gold medal," said Wilbert Witter, a spokesperson for Track Price Plus Limited, which offers wagering on 21 Olympic events.
Bolt is the world record holder for the 100 metres with a time of 9.72 seconds. His effortless win yesterday was recorded in 9.92 seconds. His compatriot, Asafa Powell, has 3-1 odds to win the final. Powell, the former world record holder for the distance, was previously 7-4.
American Tyson Gay, 11-4 on Thursday, drifted considerably to 7-1, Witter said. Gay finished second in his quarter-final yesterday.
Witter said British bookies have closed betting on Bolt winning the 100 and 200 metres events. They are only accepting betting on the lanky sprinter winning three gold medals.
"He has them running scared," Witter said.
Witter said Track Price's Knutsford Boulevard branch has experienced most betting to date. Track Price Plus is Jamaica's largest betting company with 61 branches.
Odds for top three athletes in men's 200 metres> Usain Bolt (Jamaica) 1-5
Wallace Spearmon (United States) 9-1
Walter Dix (United States) 9-1
Odds for top six athletes in women's 100 metres Kerron Stewart (Jam) 7-5
Torri Edwards (USA) 5-2
Sherone Simpson (Jam) 3-1
Shelly-Ann Fraser (Jam) 11-2
Muna Lee (USA) 6-1
Lauryn Williams (USA) 7-1
Odds for top four athletes in women's 200m Veronica Campbell-Brown (Jam) 4-5
Allyson Felix (USA) 7-5
Kerron Stewart (Jam)4-1
Sherone Simpson (Jam) 5-1
