Speed Endurance Olympic Swimming Predictions - Backstroke

The time has finally arrived, it is Olympic prediction time! Odds to win also included. It is well worth checking out the odds to finish in the top 3 too, some good value there (eg. Fran Halsall 9/5 to finish top 3 in the 100 Free). Make it rain!

Men's Odds

Women's Odds

Men

100 back

1. Matt Grevers (5/4)

2. Camille Lacourt (2/1)

3. Ryosuke Irie (8/1)

Grevers vs Lacourt has the potential to be an epic slugfest between the two giants of backstroke. Lacourt is down on his 2010 time so Grevers is the pick here. Irie might just have enough to hold off Liam Tancock and Nick Thoman.

200 back

1. Ryan Lochte (1/2)

2. Ryosuke Irie (3/1)

3. Tyler Clary (10/1)

I've been hoping Irie would take the next step from his ultra consistent level for a number of years, but he hasn't managed to up until now. If Irie remains in the 1:54.0 range, this race is Lochte's. Clary probably has the edge of Radoslaw Kawecki, Benjamin Stasiulis and Jan-Philip Glania.

Women

100 back

1. Missy Franklin (7/4)

2. Anastasia Zueva (3/1)

3. Aya Terakawa (10/1)

Missy Franklin will certainly have a challenge on her hands, but her 58.85 in Omaha sets her up for an even faster time in London. Anastasia Zueva is having a tremendous year so far and Aya Terakawa is her usual consistent self. My thoughts are that Zhao Jing might not enjoy the same success in London as she did on home soil last year. Emily Seebohm and Rachel Bootsma won't be far behind.

200 back

1. Missy Franklin (4/9)

2. Belinda Hocking (13/2)

3. Anastasia Zueva (7/1)

This seems to have world record written all over it for Franklin and I could see a repeat of the Shanghai top two happening, with Hocking being dragged along for a quick time. Zueva just gets the nod ahead of Lizzie Simmonds with Elizabeth Beisel, Sharon van Rouwendal, Daryna Zevina, Laure Manaudoud and Meagan Nay all in the picture.