“Do Not Put (Money)”: Paris Olympics 2024 Betting Gets Disapproval From Legendary American Sprinter

In exactly 104 days, the 2024 Paris Olympics, officially, Games of the XXXIII Olympiad will kick off. For fans, this is a grandeur of multi-sport events hosted in the Parisian city where the world’s best athletes compete in the highest-stakes sports. And when champions can take home a $50,000 cash reward (announced for the first time) by an international body across all 48 sports, their athleticism becomes godlike.

While a lot of time has passed with Usain Bolt’s track and field records going untouched, the hefty payout has certainly fueled the sports betting sector. Having spent decades building his name, an athletics legend has shared uncanny advice on who to put your money on or, rather, who not to!

2024 Paris Olympics rolling in betting advice

Considered one of the greatest and consistent sprinters of all time, Michael Johnson, 56, boasts an all-gold Olympics medal collection and is a popular voice on social media. In the latest X post, just days after the money reward, Johnson posted: “Advice for track fans as we head toward Paris Olympics. Support your favorite, argue why they’ll win, talk your sh*t, keep it respectful and fun. Above all, DO NOT put [money bag emoji] on your pick!!!!”

In the era when most of the best sprinters in the world are seeking to inch close to Lightning Bolt’s record, why’s Johnson making space for skepticism? This could be because his own record was eclipsed by Noah Lyles or simply genuine advice, given he is the only person with a special consistent plaudit. Having promised to surpass Usain Bolt, here’s what the ‘Three-peat’ is eying on this Olympics: could he be a safe bet?

Is Three-peat’s title enough to surpass Usain Bolt?

Talking about none other than the undisputed king of track in 2023, Noah Lyles dreams of running the fastest distances—100m, 200m, 60m, and 4x400m—in total. Having built up his reputation consistently from 2023 Budapest, where he participated in the treble 100 m, 200 m, and 4 × 100 m events, only second to Usain Bolt in 2015. 

During the 2022 World Athletics Championship in Eugene, he surpassed Michael Johnson’s national record(19.32), clocking 19.31s, making him the world’s third-best. He also holds the record for going below 19.70s four times, tying with Usain, who achieved it in his career. Having stood just behind Usain Bolt all these years, this could be the moment for Noah Lyles who sped to victory starting the year losing to another top medal prospect, so is he worthy of your safe bet?