Germans Lead Medal Count & Gold Medal Betting; Canada & USA In Top 3

Sports News - February 8th, 2010 - Written By John Ritter

The Opening ceremony for the 21st Winter Olympics is slated to begin on Friday, February 12th, 2010, from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 97 Nations from every corner of the world will descend upon North America in hopes of returning with Olympic glory. Canada hosts the Olympic games for the third time, but this will be the first for the Province of British Columbia. Previously, Canada hosted the 1976 Summer games and the 1988 winter games.

Over 5,500 of the best athletes in the world will compete over a 16 day period, in which 86 events will be contested in seven sports. Online sportsbooks are fielding a variety of wagers that will cover every event throughout the duration of the Olympic games. Beted anchors two specific wagers that asks which Country will walk away with the most medals, and most gold medals.

Germany is the leading favorite to leave Vancouver with the most medals. They have currently been installed as a +150 favorite. Germany has a history of being among the leaders in medals won in the Winter Olympics. In the 2006 games held in Torin, the country took home the overall award for most medals won. Germany won 11 gold medals, 12 silver medals and six bronze medals for a total count 29.

Following Germany in the line of favorites to produce the most amount of medals, is the host country Canada. The Canadian team finished in third place at Torin in 2006, accumulating a total of 24 medals. They are currently going off as a +200 favorite in the medal count for 2010.

The United States finished second to Germany in 2006 for the most medals won, tabbing 25. Team USA has been set as the third leading favorite to win the most amount of medals in Vancouver, going off at + 450.

Following Team USA is Norway. Norway earned 19 medals in Torin, and are set as a +800 favorite to move atop the medal count among participating nations.

Winter Olympics- Country To Win Most Medals 2010:

Germany +150
Canada +200
USA +450
Norway +800
Russia +1200
Austria +2500
China +4000
Switzerland +5000
Finland +10000
Italy +25000
Korea +25000
France +25000

In addition to the total medal count BetED Sportsbook is fielding a total gold medal count wager for leading countries.

Germany is also the leading favorite in this category, as they are installed at +175. Team Germany won the most amount of gold medals in 2006, accumulating 11. The country has taken home the most amount of gold medals in three of the last five winter Olympic games.

After winning seven gold medals in Torin, the host country Canada has been set as the second favorite to earn the highest total of gold medals. They have been established as a +250 favorite.

Team USA achieved nine gold medals during the 2006 winter Olympic games, and will try to overtake Germany for the top spot this year. Team USA tied Austria for the second most gold medals in Torin. They are going off as a +325 favorite claim the title.

USA Online Sportsbooks are favoring Norway this year. In 2006, the team won 19 medals, but only two gold medals. Despite this, oddsmakers at Beted have set Norway as a top favorite to win the most amount of gold medals, as they are at +500. Norway leads the all time gold medal count in Winter Olympics, with 98.

Coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games begins Friday February 12th at 8pm EST, and will be broadcast on NBC and associate networks throughout the duration of the games.

Winter Olympics- Country To Win Most Gold Medals 2010:

Germany +175
Canada +250
USA +325
Norway +500
Russia +1400
Austria +1600
Sweden +4000
Switzerland +6600
China +8000
Italy +50000
Finland +50000