The swimming events at the Olympics Games will be highly watched with more than 35 events
in the week-long competition at Paris La Defense Arena. The marquee race on the men’s and
women’s side is the 100m freestyle and we’ll preview who are the favorites, and who could be a
sleeper pick to win gold.
Men’s 100m Freestyle
Pan Zhanle, China -115
Pan Zhanle broke the 100m freestyle world record at the World Championship in Doha back in
February and is the favorite in Paris. The teenage sensation is emerging as the new star in the
sport and these Games may be his coming out party. It wouldn’t be a shock to see the Chinese
swimmer set another world record in this event.
David Popovici, Romania +250
Another 19-year old star, David Popovici is coming off the third-fastest 100m freestyle in history
at the European Aquatics Championships. The 2022 World Champion in this event will be
Zhanle’s main threat. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Popovici made the final in this race and
would finish 7th, as a 16-year old.
Kyle Chalmers, Australia +1000
The Australian is considered the veteran at 26 but his experience could give him a shot to
dethrone the two teens. Chalmers won gold at the Rio Games in 2016 and silver in Tokyo in this
event. He is also coming off a world championship in 2023. Cool, calm and collective, Chalmer
looks to collect another Olympic gold.
Men's 100m Freestyle Odds
Pan Zhanle -115
David Popovici +250
Jack Alexy +600
Kyle Chalmers +1000
Chris Guiliano +1200
Maxime Grousset +1600
Joshua Liendo +3300
Nandor Nemeth +3300
Matthew Richards +4000
Alessandro Miress +4000
Jordan Crooks +8000
Women’s 100m Freestyle
Mollie O'Callaghan, Australia +120
Mollie O'Callaghan won the world championship in both the women’s 100m and 200m freestyle
individual events in 2023 and was part of the winning relay teams in 4 × 100m and 4 × 200m.
She has two gold and one bronze from the 2020 Summer Olympics but hasn’t won individual
medals. She looks to change that in Paris.
Siobhan Haughey, Hong Kong +185
Siobhan Haughey became the first Hong Kong swimmer to win an Olympic medal and the first
Hong Kong athlete to win two Olympic medals in any sport after taking silver in the 100m and
200m freestyle races. She’ll be favored to hit the podium again after winning bronze at the 2024
world championship.
Kate Douglass. USA +1200
Kate Douglass has been knocking at the door in this event finishing fourth in 2023 and 2024 at
the world championships. The American won a bronze in Tokyo, her only Olympic medal. She
gives the U.S. it’s best chance in this event, and while she isn’t a favorite, Douglass may be
worth a small sprinkle at these odds.
Women's 100m Freestyle Odds
Mollie O'Callaghan +120
Siobhan Haughey +185
Marrit Steenbergen +600
Shayna Jack +1000
Kate Douglass +1200
Junxuan Yang +2500
Torri Huske +3300
Anna Hopkin +5000
Wu Qingfeng +6600
Penny Oleksiak +8000
Mary-Sophie Harvey +10000