With the 2021 Olympic Games only a few weeks away, we thought we’d start to take a look at some of the best Australian chances to bring home a gold medal from Tokyo. While there aren’t many Olympics betting markets around at the moment, the TAB do have a selection of markets available already, with more to come over the next few weeks.
The Olympics commence in Tokyo, Japan, on July 23rd and conclude on August 8th, 2021.
Can these Australian athletes bring home the gold from Tokyo?
Stewart McSweyn (Athletics - 1500m, 5000m, 10000m)
One of the great Australian stories of the Tokyo Olympics may be Tasmanian Stewart McSweyn. The 26-year old from King Island is at the peak of his athletic powers across an incredible range of distance events, having qualified for events ranging from the 1500 metres right up to the 10,000 metres.
Australia hasn’t won an Olympic medal on the track since 2004, but McSweyn is a great chance to come home with a medal after recently breaking a 16-year old Australian record for the mile in a Diamond League event in Olso in the fastest time recorded in the world this year over that distance. The best thing about that run was how fresh McSweyn looked following the event. Clearly he has the miles in his legs and the mental toughness to be a great contender in Tokyo.
Emma McKeon (Swimming - 50m/100m/200m free, 100m butterfly)
Emma McKeon may already have four Olympic medals to her name but Tokyo is arguably her chance to rise to become one of the greats of the pool on a world stage. McKeon was the stand out at the recent Australian Olympic swimming qualifying trials, setting some blistering times and qualifying for as many as seven events in Tokyo. Her Australian record in the 100m butterfly was incredible as the fastest time in the world this year and the fourth fastest of all time, so she will be hard to beat there as well as her pet 100m freestyle event.
Of course, the women’s relay teams are also going to be hard to stop and Australia will be a red-hot favourite in the 100m freestyle relay where we are the defending champions and world record holders. McKeon may emerge from Tokyo as the new Aussie golden girl of the Games.
Emma McKeon win 100m Freestyle
$2.00
Sally Fitzgibbons (Surfing)
The Australian female surfing team is a strong one, and we’re hoping to see one, or perhaps even two, of our girls on the podium receiving a medal. Sally Fitzgibbons is the number 3 ranked female surfer in the world and comes into the Olympics in hot form off the back of a win in the final qualification event in El Salvador where she dominated the field.
With a decade of success on the world surfing tour under her belt, Fitzgibbons is poised to make a splash as surfing is introduced at an Olympics for the very first time. Fitzgibbons will be joined by seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore in what should be an exciting event to watch for Australia.
Australia Women to win Surfing gold
$2.25
Ash Barty (Tennis)
She’s the number one ranked female tennis player in the world, and fresh off a successful Wimbledon campaign. Australia’s Ash Barty is going to be hard to stop for a gold medal in Tokyo. With a number of top line tennis stars opting to miss the Olympics, including 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, Barty is primed for a shot at a medal, and fingers crossed it will be gold in colour.
Barty has publicly stated her desire to represent her country at the Olympics and has been inspired by the achievements of Cathy Freeman some 20 years ago. After struggling through injury in 2020, the delayed Olympics may have played out perfectly for the return to form for Barty in time for gold.
Ash Barty to win Tennis gold
$6.00
Jessica Fox (Canoeing & Kayaking)
One of our best chances at gold, and perhaps even multiple gold, is with canoeist Jessica Fox. She made her Olympic debut in London in 2012 where she won a silver in the K1 event, and backed that up with a bronze four years later in Rio. She’ll be looking to complete the set in Tokyo and comes in the event in good form after taking gold in recent World Cup events in both K1 and C1 disciplines.
It’s the first time that both women’s kayak and canoe events will be held at an Olympics so it’s double the chances for Fox for gold.
While it’s a little early to see too many Olympics betting markets out, TAB do have a solid range of Olympics markets across a variety of sports. Keep an eye on the best Australian sports betting sites for more markets in the lead up to the games starting on July 23rd.
However if you do like the chances of our Australian stars then you can go for gold by backing Australia to win more than 12.5 gold medals. When you consider the above chances, and throw in the likes of Ariarne Titmus, Kaylee McKeown, Elijah Winnington and our relay teams in the pool, our men’s and women’s Hockey teams, our Women’s water polo team, our Triathlon team and our strong cycling team, then perhaps that line, and a top 5 spot on the medal count, isn’t out of the question.
Australia to win >12.5 Gold Medals
$1.90
