08-08-08.

That’s right, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games have finally arrived on the eight day of the eight month of the eight year. August 8, 2008, that date was probably marked all around the globe as people from all walks of life marked that date on their calendar for their personal reasons; be it weddings, opening businesses, birth dates, etc., hoping that the date that comes only once in every hundred years, will bring them good luck.

It was only fitting that the Chinese scheduled the Games of the XXIX Olympiad on the said date as well. But will the date bring good luck to the athletes competing for their country too?

They, after all, need all the luck they can get. The Olympics is the biggest event any sports athlete will have in his sporting career and it is understandable if these athletes feel pressured.

U.S. Olympic swimmer, Michael Phelps, is one dude who’ll feel the most pressure for sure. He has the opportunity to become the Olympian to win the most gold medals in history both for a single Games and for a career. He has to win eight more gold medals, giving him 14 for his career.

U.S. basketball team head coach Mike Krzyzewski and Kobe Bryant should also feel the same pressure. For Krzyzewski, he’s probably the best coach in basketball not working in the NBA, despite that, he still has no gold medal to show for since taking over the U.S. Olympic basketball team.

He better win something in Beijing.

For Kobe Bryant, he’s arguably the best player in basketball today but, he still has to prove something and that’s win something without Shaquille O’Neal. He was two wins away from achieving that against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals but since his Lakers became the welcome mat for the Celtics’ 17th world championship, the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China is probably his last shot for redemption.

After all, you never know how long can Kobe Bryant play in this level right?

Who will be the winners of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Most Overall Medals

China 1.80

United States 2.10

Russia 15.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more Olympic Games betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today’s biggest sporting events.

2008 Beijing Olympic Games Team USA