• Kenyan marathon runner Ruth Chepngetich is one of the athletes to watch at the Tokyo Olympics, in addition to transgender powerlifter Laurel Hubbard.

TOKYO – The Olympics are almost here, and fans are beginning to key in on some of the biggest athletes and storylines ahead of this legendary Games.

So many of the athletes that the world will root for at the Games had to endure more hardships this year on their path to the Olympics than ever before due to the difficulties of the pandemic.

This has led to some tremendous stories of preservice in the quest for these athletes to represent their country on the grandest stage.

Some of these athletes will be found across the Olympic sportsbooks, meaning you can support them while also rooting for your cash along the way.

One of these athletes is Ruth Chepngetich, a 26-year old marathon runner for Kenya.

After dealing with the limitations of the COVID pandemic hindering her training schedule, Chepngetich managed to still destroy the record for the half-marathon back in April in Istanbul.

Chepngetich beat the long-standing record by a full 29 seconds, locking in her place in the Olympics despite being unable to train in full capacity, and major competition events being canceled throughout her home country of Kenya.

Whereas major superstar athletes like the NBA’s Steph Curry or Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah have the luxury of declining their invitation to the Olympics, athletes like Chepngetich work their entire lives for this one single moment.

One athlete that has gone through an immense journey to reach her Olympic dreams is powerlifter Laurel Hubbard.

Hubbard is a transgender woman, who is competing in the women’s 87kg division for Team New Zealand.

The issue of transgender women competing against natural-born women in athletic coemption certainly has its own pandora’s box of issues in terms of fairness.

However, the tenacity to strive for a goal despite constant ridicule, oppression, and roadblocks is something to respect, regardless of how one feels about the fairness of the situation.

The 43-year old Hubbard will be one of the oldest competitors in the weightlifting division, with the average age of her competitors being 24.

Hubbard is being allowed to compete in the women’s division as long as she takes a daily pill that limits testosterone and keeps her T limits under a designated amount.

This is unlike transgender runner CeCe Telfer, who will not be able to run at the Olympics due to having testosterone limits above a certain amount.

The issue is certainly controversial, and will likely play out on the international stage once the Olympics begin later this month.

Anyone looking to bet on the Olympics can find odds for these athletes and many more at the online Olympics sportsbooks.