The 2024 Paris Olympics is fast approaching and with that, the anticipation is growing, especially from an Australian perspective with a host of particular events expected to be ripe for Australia to pick up medals.
Down below is our preview of key events and the chances of the Aussies securing a medal in Paris. Good luck to everyone following along!
2024 Paris Olympics – Aussie Medal Hopes!
Athletics
Australia has sent a strong team over to Paris from an Athletics perspective. The name on the lips of everyone is clearly Jess Hull, who recently smashed the 2000m world record and will go into her 1500m event as one of the favourites given that astonishing run. She will have company in terms of gold medal opportunity, with Nicola Olyslagers and Eleanor Patterson (High Jump) expected to be hard in contention. Peter Bol was outstanding in Tokyo and despite a drug charge halting his campaign, which he was cleared of, his recent efforts have been strong and is expected to do well in the 800m.
Bets to Consider:
Jess Hull – 1500m Gold Medal ($7.75 at Bet365)
Nicola Olyslagers – High Jump Gold Medal ($4.50 at Bet365)
Basketball
The Boomers and Opals are expected to each finish with a medal, but it will depend on what colour. The Boomers have been dealt a very tough draw, being alongside Canada, Spain and Greece. Canada are expected to win the Group but most think Australia will finish second. The team to beat is clearly USA, but with a host of NBA stars in the team, the Boomers should go in confident of repeating their bronze medal efforts at Tokyo. The Opals have been on the podium in the past five Olympics and are expected to repeat the dose. Their recent form has been strong and with Lauren Jackson back again, her experience will be vital at the pointy end.
Bets to Consider:
Betting Without Favourite – Boomers ($17 at Bet365)
Betting Without Favourite – Opals ($5 at Bet365)
Canoe Slalom
Jess Fox is one of the more popular members of the Australian Olympic team and you could argue is a near lock to win a Gold Medal. She will contest the C1 and K1 disciplines along with the Kayak cross event. She is a ten-time world champion and was born/raised in France, so coming here for the Olympics, defending her title from Tokyo, she will be as hungry as ever to get a gold.
Bets to Consider:
Jessica Fox – C1 Gold Medal ($1.50 at Bet365)
Jessica Fox – K1 Gold Medal ($1.87 at Bet365)
Football
Take away Swimming, and from an Australian perspective, this Olympics is all about the Matildas. What can they do on the world stage and can they get redemption after their World Cup Semi Final loss. It seemed like close enough was good enough, which to me seems crazy given Australian teams, historically, want to win. They are one of the top teams and despite facing Germany and USA in the Group Stage, they should get to the knockout stage. Despite no Sam Kerr, the target has to be a medal.
Bets to Consider:
Matildas to Win a Medal ($3.20 Bet Right)
Rugby Sevens
The women’s team won the Rugby Sevens World Series this year, so they will go into this as one of the favourites and a very strong chance of gold, with a stack of high quality across the park, which is also the case for the men’s team, who are yet to get a medal at the Olympics but look well placed to change that, with Sydney Roosters recruit Mark Nawaqanitawase looking to star before heading to Bondi.
Bets to Consider:
Australia Men to Win a Medal ($3.05 Bet Right)
Australia Women Gold Medal ($3.05 at Ladbrokes)
Swimming
It is ranging from a third to even a half of the medals that Australia brings home from the Olympics will come via Swimming and when you see the squad, and the times they did at the Olympic Trials, it's hard to argue against the fact. They swam faster vs the US and their Olympic Trials, and from all reports, the Australian team has more up the sleeve. Ariarne Titmus, Kaylee McKeown, Cameron McEvoy, Elijah Winnington and Sam Short are each favourite to win individual golds, while the relay teams rarely miss out on a spot on the podium.
Bets to Consider:
Ariarne Titmus – 200m Freestyle Gold Medal ($1.95 at BoomBet)
Ariarne Titmus – 800m Freestyle Gold Medal ($4.90 at Palmerbet)
