Bookie Paddy Power is tipping Team GB to win even more gold medals at the London Olympics in 2012 than they have in Beijing 2008.
Britain’s best medal haul in 100 years has raised the bar but Paddy Power expects home advantage to play a part and makes Britain just 2/7 to win more than the 18 golds secured in Beijing.
The bookie makes it just 7/4 that 26 or more gold medals are won in 2012 but an almost unimaginable 100/1 for five or less.
Meanwhile Sir Steven Redgrave is the hot favourite to light the Olympic flame in London’s Opening Ceremony. Britain’s greatest Olympian is 8/11 for the honour followed by Dame Kelly Holmes at 10/1. Its 20/1 for any member of the Royal Family, with David Beckham 33/1 and Eddie ‘the eagle’ Edwards a 500/1 outsider.
Darren Haines, spokesman for the bookie, said: “It can’t be underestimated just how good Britain have performed in Beijing but with home advantage we are tipping them to go even faster, higher and stronger in 2012. And whilst four years is a relatively long way away yet, it’s hard to see who else but Sir Steve will be lighting the Olympic flame unless Seb Coe has a surprise up his sleeve.”
Paddy Power Olympic Betting
GB to win more golds in 2012 than 2008?
2/7 More
5/2 Same or less
How many golds will GB win in 2012
100/1 0-5
20/1 6-10
13/2 11-15
11/4 16-20
11/8 21-25
7/4 26 or more
Who will light the Olympic flame at the London 2012 Opening ceremony?
8/11 Steve Redgrave
10/1 Kelly Holmes
12/1 Seb Coe
20/1 Any member of the British Royal Family
25/1 Matthew Pinsent
33/1 Tanni Grey Thompson
33/1 Andrew Murray
33/1 David Beckham
33/1 Chris Hoy
40/1 Amir Khan
50/1 Paula Radcliffe
50/1 Mary Peters
50/1 Daley Thompson
50/1 Martin Johnson
66/1 Wayne Rooney
66/1 Steven Gerrard
80/1 Linford Christie
100/1 Bobby Charlton
100/1 Tony Blair
125/1 Sir Clive Woodward
150/1 Nelson Mandela
150/1 Tim Henman
150/1 Gazza
500/1 Eddie the Eagle