I'm really not into sports at all, but I do tend to pay some attention to sports during the Olympics. It's on, it's in the news, it's different from the usual stuff, so it grabs my attention.
And I enjoy some of it. It sometimes makes me think I should watch these events more often, as I'd develop a better eye and understanding and appreciation of the sport.
That said, I find many of the events just so one dimensional, and that just does not hold my interest. Yes, I can be amazed at the level of athletics and focus and discipline, but it just won't hold my interest.
Swimming, and running in a single lane for example - no real interaction with the other competitors, and very controlled conditions. They don't have to contend with any variables at all, it is a controlled environment. Boring to me. But at least with a 100M dash, they can replay the entire event 3 or 4 times, you don't miss anything if you are a a fan!
I got a kick out of the rowers - one of them just sits there! I could do that!
OK, I suppose they play a role as co-coordinator and cheerleader, but really?
On the other end of that scale for me, is beach volleyball. Two players on a side - they are involved in every play, and often two times in a play, and often more than twice per point. There is an element of randomness, but just enough to add excitement. The scores are high enough that the randomness evens out and the skill will overcome that (I don't feel that way about sports like soccer/Euro-football or hockey). The reaction time, the skill to handle the ball under all those conditions. I get totally involved watching a good match.
And of course, in women's beach volleyball, there is the bonus of seeing tall, fit, talented women in bikinis. Some of them could probably be fashion models as well (do a search on Swiss player Anouk Vergé-Dépré for example), That's a tough combo to beat! Looking forward to Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross versus Australia's Bawden/Clancy tonight, 10PM Central time.
-ERD50