It is the marquee event at every Olympic Games and will finish in the blink of an eye. The men’s
100-meter race will be stacked with speedsters vying for the title “World’s Fastest Man.” After
three Games of Usain Bolt’s dominance, 2020 saw a virtual unknown take spot as Marcell
Jacobs shocked the world, winning at +3000 odds in Tokyo. Could we see another unknown
take the title, or one of the favorites standing atop the podium?
Kishane Thompson, Jamaica +125
The Jamaican sprinter has jumped up the odds board after running a world-leading 9.77
seconds to win the Olympic trials in Jamaica. Kishane Thompson's eye-popping run was quite
impressive and now the 22-year old is the favorite in Paris. Maybe believe he can go even
faster, as we could see the next superstar sprinter from Jamaica.
Noah Lyles, USA +135
American Noah Lyles is the big name to keep an eye on. The 26-year-old American won
bronze in the 200m at Tokyo 2020 and since then, took the double gold in the 100 and 200
meter races at last year’s Worlds. His personal best came in 2023, a 9.83. He has had a
history of poor starts, but he’s been working on it. If he blasts out of the blocks, it could be over
rather quickly.
Letsile Tebogo, Botswana +2500
Letsile Tebogo of Botswana could be the next international sprinting superstar. At just 21-years
old, he’s already won a silver in the 100 meters at the 2023 World Championship, and took
bronze in the 200 meters. He was the first African 100 meter medalist in a major competition.
Tebogo won back-to-back gold medals in this event at the World U20 Championships in 2021,
and 2022. He has the potential to be a major threat in Paris.
Lamon Marcell Jacobs, Italy +3300
Marcel Jacobs is the defending Olympic champion but the oddsmakers don’t expect him to
repeat. He came out of nowhere in Tokyo, as he wasn’t known as a top level sprinter. He’s dealt
with injuries of late having to pull out of the last two World Championships. But remember, he
did win at long odds at the last Games, and if the price is right, could pull off another shocker.
Fred Kerley, USA +3300
Fred Kerley used to run the 400 meter event and won a bronze at the 2019 World
Championships. He then stunned the world by switching to the sprints in 2020 where he went
on to win silver in the 100. Two years later, he was crowned fastest man after winning gold at
the Worlds. 2023 didn’t go well though, failing to make the final in the 100 in Budapest. He has
changed coaches hoping it’s the difference in Paris.
Men's 100m Gold Medal Winner Odds
Kishane Thompson +125
Noah Lyles +135
Oblique Seville +900
Letsile Tebogo +2500
Lamon Marcell Jacobs +3300
Fred Kerley +3300
Ferdinand Omanyala +4000
Akani Simbine +4000
Zharnel Hughes +6600