The Olympic Games have long been the premier platform for athletes to showcase their skills and compete against the best in the world. Among the various sports featured at the Games, athletics events have consistently drawn in large audiences and dominated Olympic viewership. From iconic Olympic Stadiums to the global broadcast reach, athletics events have become an integral part of the Olympic experience for enthusiasts and patriots. Heres a look at the best ones. 

Sprints: The Most Electrifying Events

Sprint events, comprising the 100m, 200m, and 400m races, are undoubtedly the most electrifying events in athletics. They showcase athletes explosive power, speed, and technique, making them a thrilling spectacle for audiences worldwide. 

Due to the high-speed nature of these events, punters have also gotten in on the action and wagered for contenders with great potential. With the likes of Malik James-King coming in at 66/1 odds prior to the mens 400m hurdles event, it was a great example of the unique odds from sprints that have kept attracting bettors to painstakingly pour through a comparison of online bookmakers just to nail down a single edge. 

However, according to professional punter Pavel Haba, players should be careful to only use sites that are trustworthy, have been tested for security issues, and that offer great promotional perks. While the dominance of people like Usain Bolt in previous years meant the odds for the main race werent always great, these days punters can wager on everything from times to nuanced bets on individual runners. 

The thrill of the sprints makes them the perfect blend of speed, power, and drama. As a must-watch event at the Olympics among all audiences, this is usually the event that draws the highest numbers too.  

Distance Events: Endurance and Drama

Distance events, comprising the 5000m, 10,000m, and marathon, require skills that encompass endurance and strategy. Athletes need to possess incredible physical and mental toughness, as they push themselves to the limit over extended periods. Fans love distance events due to their unpredictability, with athletes employing different tactics and pacing strategies to outmanoeuvre their opponents. 

Recent notable Olympic distance events include Eliud Kipchoges dominant marathon victory in 2016, where he won by over a minute, and Almaz Ayanas record-breaking 10,000m performance in the same year, where she shattered the previous record by over 14 seconds. In the Paris 2024 games, the womens 5000m final saw a stunning upset, as Kenyan runner Beatrice Chebet took the podium for a gold medal followed by Faith Kipyegon who outran the previous champion from the Netherlands, Sifan Hassan, showcasing the thrilling unpredictability of distance events. 

Hurdles and Relays: Teamwork and Skill

Hurdles and relay events add a unique layer of complexity and excitement to athletics competitions. The 100m and 400m hurdles require athletes to combine speed, agility, and technique, navigating barriers while maintaining top-end speed. Relay events, comprising the 4x100m and 4x400m, emphasise teamwork and coordination, as athletes work together to achieve a common goal.

The unique appeal of hurdles and relays, as witnessed during the 2024 Paris Olympics, is rooted in their inherent demand for precision, strategy, and trust among team members. During the womens 4x400m relay, the American team executed a breathtaking performance, overcoming a significant 10-metre deficit in the final leg to clinch the gold medal. This dramatic comeback highlighted not only the individual prowess of the athletes but also their seamless coordination and mutual reliance. 

Field Events: Strength and Technique

Field events, comprising the long jump, high jump, shot put, and discus, showcase athletes incredible strength, technique, and precision. These events require a unique blend of power, speed, and finesse, making them a captivating spectacle for audiences. The popularity of field events can be attributed to their raw athleticism and record-breaking potential. Iconic Olympic moments include Bob Beamons legendary long jump record in 1968, which stood for 23 years, and Ulf Timmermanns shot put world record in 1988. 

In the ongoing games, Greek discus thrower Krista Roro shattered the Olympic record with a massive 71.08m throw, showcasing the enduring appeal of field events. These moments demonstrate the awe-inspiring strength and technique required to excel in field events, drawing in audiences and inspiring new generations of athletes. As the end of this worldwide competition draws near, punters everywhere will likely revert to the best online casinos over sportsbooks, though many can look forward to the new football season around the corner too.