One of the island's leading book-makers, Track Price Plus Limited, is offering fixed odds betting on a number of events in the Beijing Olympics which gets under way today with a glittering opening ceremony.

Jamaican Usain Bolt is quoted as a strong favourite by Track Price Plus to win the coveted sprint double. Bolt, the current world record holder with a time of 9.72 seconds, has been installed a 6-4 favourite to win the 100 metres final.

He is closely followed in the betting by defending champion, American Tyson Gay at 7-4, and former world-record holder Asafa Powell at 11-4.

For the 200 metres, Bolt is also the ante-post favourite at even shorter odds, 1-5. He is followed by the Americans Walter Dix and Wallace Spearman, jointly at 9-1.

Taking no chances

With world champion Veronica Campbell-Brown failing to qualify for the 100 metres at the recent Jamaica trial, Track Price is taking no chances. They have installed the winner of the local trial, Kerron Stewart, a 7-5 favourite, ahead of the American Torri Edwards at 5-2, and Jamaicans Sherone Simpson and Shelly-Ann Fraser, second and third in the trials, at 3-1 and 11-2, respectively.

Campbell, meanwhile, is a firm favourite at 4-5 to win the 200 metres, followed by arch-rival, the American Allyson Felix at 7-5, Kerron Stewart at 4-1 and Sherone Simpson 5-1.

Jamaican-born Sanya Richards, representing the United States is a prohibitive favourite at 1-9 to win her pet event, the women's 400 metres. Jamaica's Novlene Williams is a clear second favourite at 4-1.

In the women's 110 metres hurdles, American Lolo Jones is a tight 2-1 favourite, ahead of Jamaican Brigitte Foster-Hylton at 3-1, followed by another Jamaican, Delloreen Ennis-London and Damu Cherry, both at 9-2.

For the men's 110 metres hurdles, Cuban dynamo Dayron Robles is a short-priced favourite at 4-7, followed by defending champion, China's Xiang Liu at 11-10, who is considered the sentimental favourite.

The American Kerron Clement is quoted as the 1-2 favourite to win the men's 400 metres hurdles, ahead of Bershawn Jackson at 7-4. For the women's 400 metres hurdles, Jamaican Melaine Walker is the even-money favourite ahead of Tiffany Williams at 7-5 and Shenia Tosta at 3-1. Jamaica are also favourites to win both sprint relays.