Bahamas to profit from sub-par US in Olympic 4x400m relay

The US’ failure to have an athlete in the men’s 400m final makes the Bahamas outstanding value at 10/3 to take gold in the 4x400m relay.

With LaShawn Merritt injured, the US team has suffered a major loss and this was hardly the same dominant crop in the discipline compared to former days to begin with.

Jeremy Wariner is also out after tearing a hamstring in relay practice, meaning that a second 400m hurdler may have to come in alongside Angelo Taylor, most probably silver medallist Michael Tinsley.

This depleted line-up suggests that there is a danger that the US could lose a first men’s 4x400m Olympic relay since 1976 in which they have competed.

Certainly, 8/13 looks on the skinny side that they do triumph.

The Bahamas can boast two individual 400m finalists in their ranks, including Chris Brown who finished fourth in a major final for the fifth time in London.

Meanwhile, Ramon Miller was only just outside 45.00secs in his semi final and so is in decent form, while Michael Mathieu’s disqualification for a false start in the semi finals of the 200m may prove a blessing in disguise.

The Bahamas finished second behind the US in Beijing four years ago and may never get a better chance to take gold.

For each-way punters, Trinidad & Tobago are 50/1 to win gold in the relay and they must have a decent chance of gaining a medal.

Lalonde Gordon is in their team and could come late on the last leg with the finishing speed that saw him take bronze in the individual 400m.

Their team arguably is no worse than Belgium even though they have the Borlee twins and Belgium are 10/1 to win gold.

Team GB are 16/1 to triumph, but without a true world-class athlete, they will be battling for minor places at best.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.