Fancies come back to the Games field

Sally Pearson trains during an Athletics Australia Olympic Media Day at Tonbridge Training Camp, 2012 in Tonbridge, England.

When does a hiccup become a hurdle? Or in the case of Sally Pearson, when does a hurdle become more than a hiccup? Sport has once again shown what a moveable feast it can be in the lead-up to the Olympics, with two of the major hopes of the Games seemingly stumbling before their biggest races in four years.

First it was Usain Bolt. Just as Sportingmail’s London 2012 edition hit your mailbox pondering not so much if he’d win but whether he’d break the 100m world record (currently $4 for; $1.23 against), the Jamaican juggernaut went and lost to training partner Yohan Blake in qualifying. And not just in the 100m but the 200m as well. Bolt has now moved into $1.66 and $1.50 for the 100m and 200m titles, respectively, while Blake stands at $2.50/$2.60.

Similarly, Aussie 100m hurdles fancy Pearson suffered a rare defeat in going down to American champion Kellie Wells at a London meet and has tightened a touch into $1.55, with Wells at $3.75. One defeat doesn’t make a summer, though, and slightly better odds simply adds to the pair’s appeal. A little doubt sure helps the numbers.

Compare that with James Magnussen. There’s been next to no international competition for him since the 2011 worlds but with the fastest time in a textile swimsuit and a relaxed yet steely persona he’s $1.28 for the 100m. Compatriot James Roberts may as well be called daylight on the next line of betting at $6.50.

So where to for a bit better value? Sportingbet has plenty to choose from, covering 30 sports with an array of options, medal counts and exotics.

Boxing can be unpredictable but accordingly you’ll get better returns on your favourites. Cuba’s 2011 light heavyweight world champion Julio César la Cruz is a hot prospect for gold and at $2 is reasonable but if you are looking for a bit of love from a local, try Brit Anthony Joshua at $3.25 in the super heavyweight.

If you’re feeling all nationalistic and have some loose change to throw at a few Aussie underdogs, look no further than the women’s eight rowers ($51), who have nothing to lose, and rising trampolinist Blake Gaudry ($67).