We’re taking a look at five major medal hopes from the Winter Olympics 2022 Team Canada roster and their betting odds for success in Beijing.
Separate previews will examine the chances of ice hockey and curling gold, but these are individual athletes expected to challenge for top honours in China.
There are 215 squad members competing in 14 different sports, with 45 past medalists present, and Canada are 13.0 to secure the largest number of medals, plus 19.0 for most golds.
MIKAEL KINGSBURY
The 29-year-old freestyle skier finished second in the Moguls event in Sochi and then went one better at Pyeongchang four years ago. Of his 11 World Championships medals, six have been gold and he has also dominated the World Cup series, claiming nine Moguls titles, 71 individual wins and 101 podiums. The Quebec ace is 1.75 favourite to get Team Canada off to a flying start with another early success in Beijing.
KIM BOUTIN
The 27-year-old short track speed skater fell just short of striking gold in Pyeongchang when securing a silver and two bronze medals, so she will be determined to land a big win in Beijing. As the only Canadian to feature on three podiums, Boutin was named the flag bearer for the closing ceremonies. The following year, she set a world record for 500m and is 5.0 to prevail over that distance here, plus 9.0 at 1000 and 16.0 for 1500.
MARK McMORRIS
Following bronze medals in 2014 and 2018, the 28-year-old Saskatchewan snowboarder will be going all out for gold this time around and is 4.25 for Slopestyle glory. A decade at elite level has brought nine Winter X Games golds in this discipline and Big Air, plus first place in last year’s World Championships at Aspen in the latter event. Some horrific injuries have hurt his chances at past Olympics but McMorris looks 100 per cent healthy here.
JUSTIN KRIPPS
Francesco Friedrich, who features in our five to watch in Beijing from any country, is a red-hot favourite to dominate the men’s Bobsleigh events but Kripps will be ready to pounce on any mistakes from the German. The 35-year-old shared top honours with Friedrich in the 2-Man category four years ago and is ranked second in the world at both that event and the 4-Man this term. Punters can get 11.0 for Kripps to upset the market leader in each section.
CYNTHIA APPIAH
The 31-year-old from Toronto has been a role model for black athletes in winter sports. Previously a hammer and shot-put prodigy, she switched to the bobsleigh circuit at university and excelled as a breakwoman, only to be overlooked for Olympics selection. Not to be deterred, Appiah went back to scratch and mastered the art of piloting a sled and is now one of the favourites for the new Monobob discipline at 7.0.
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