Olympics best bets: Back these underrated stars for Team USA in Paris

The main web page for NBC's Olympic coverage didn't have to fully load before you would see several pictures of Noah Lyles and Sha'Carri Richardson following last weekend's track and field trials. In fact, you would think Lyles and Richardson are the only representatives for Team USA in any sport at the upcoming Summer Games by the way the site was promoting them.

Sure, they're star athletes in their disciplines. But does that mean they are who you should be backing when you place your bets for the Paris Olympics?

Here are some underrated stars on Team USA's track and field team that you should consider wagering on instead.

Fred Kerley — Men's 100M

While FanDuel lists Lyles as the +155 favorite to win this event in Paris, you should take a look at Kerley before placing your bets.

The Texas native is listed at +1400 odds to win the event on Aug. 3, and there's a lot to like about what he brings to Team USA. He took silver in the 100M at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and won gold at the 2022 World Athletics Championship. After missing out on defending his title in 2023, he rallied to make his second Olympics this week.

Kerley finished third at the Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon with a 9.88. That's darn close to Lyles, who placed a personal best with a 9.83. Consider backing Kerley when you wager on the Men's 100M.

Melissa Jefferson — Women's 100M

Richardson is heavily favored at FanDuel at -160 odds, which already makes wagering on teammate Jefferson at +750 more appealing.

But there's a lot more to like about the 23-year-old, who is making her Olympics debut. In 2022, the Coastal Carolina product took first place at the Sun Belt Outdoor Championships and at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships en route to the World Athletics Championships in Eugene. She placed eighth that year but has clearly improved as she finished second at this year's Olympic trials, which were also held in Hayward Field.

Jefferson solidified her first Olympic bid with a 10:80 finish in the 100M, behind teammate — and training mate — Richardson at 10:71. Twanisha Terry, who trains with Richardson and Jefferson under coach Dennis Mitchell in Florida, finished third with a 10:89.

With a drive and work ethic that has helped improve her craft over the last couple of years, Jefferson is a solid pick at +750 odds to take home Olympic gold — even if she's an underrated athlete to back.