The survey carried out by Lattelecom states that Latvian residents will primarily watch track and field athletics, BMX and gymnastics during the 2012 Olympic Games.

More than half of Latvian resident plan to follow the Olympic Games, 10% are not interested in this event.

Every fifth respondent said that he plans to shorten his work day or take vacation just to watch the sport he is interested in. One of every fifth respondents plans to watch the Olympic Games at work. 15% will not attend planned events or will cancel work meetings because of the games. Some (8%) sports fans are even prepared to use their saved up vacation days for the sake of their favourite sport.

54% of respondents plan to follow track and field sports during the Olympic Games, 36% – BMX sports, 34% – basketball, 32% – gymnastics, 32% beach volleyball and 30% – swimming. 27% of respondents will follow football, 26% – volleyball and 25% – rowing races.

“The survey’s results are quite natural. Most sportsmen of our National Olympics team are track and field specialists, those kinds of sports are also the most “viewed” and exciting ones. BMX and beach volleyball are very popular nowadays. Our sportsmen have notable achievements in these sports and have a higher chance of winning medals. Gymnastics is a traditionally favoured sport, because athletes usually surprise the audience with performing miracles with their bodies, and their performances bring a truly aesthetic enjoyment,”- sports journalist Edgars Barbaks describes the popular tendency.

Ref: 104.109.109.2794