The 5 most watched Olympic sports

Olympics is a delight for any sports fan starting from the opening ceremony all the way to their favorite games. Fans all over the world hope and cheer on their favorite athletes to score an Olympic medal for the country. Here is a list of the most watched Olympic sports.

Gymnastics

Gymnastics (Source: Khelo India)

Dipa Karmakar made history in the Rio 2016 Olympics when she became the only female Indian to participate in Gymnastics. For those unaware, gymnastics has a massive worldwide following with Larisa Latynina, a former Soviet gymnast holding 18 Olympic medals in the sport. Athletes who compete undergo rigorous physical conditioning, stretching and strengthening. It is primarily a bodyweight discipline with separate events for men and women. Both compete as a team or individuals in floor exercise, rings, vault, uneven bars and parallel bars.

Track and Field

Source: Men's Journal

Track and Field events are some of the most commonly played sports around the world recreationally and professionally. Ranging from marathon, throwing, jumping and many other running events, it happens to be one of the most watched Olympic sports across the planet. Usain Bolt is looked up to by many runners across the world. Indian athletes have participated and won in the Olympics. This traces back to Norman Pritchard, Milkha Singh and PT Usha to Deepa Malik and Anju Bobby George. These players have won Olympic medals and have inspired a new generation of track athletes like Neeraj Chopra and Dutee Chand.

Swimming

FINA World Swimming Championships(25m) (Source: Wikipedia)

Swimming in India is a popular sport and sees participation by many common people in pools and competitively who wish to bring home the Olympic medal for the sport. Shamsher Khan and Virdhawal Khade have been the closest hopes for a medal. However, both did break national records in the 200m butterfly event and 100m freestyle respectively. Michael Phelps made news across the world with his medal wins which inspired many athletes all over the world to perform better in swimming. It has garnered attention worldwide and has led to increased participation in swimming pools and clubs.

Weightlifting

Sathish Sivalingam celebrates after winning the Men's Weightlifting 77 kg category at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Weightlifting is a strength sport that is often misunderstood by laymen as simply working out with heavy weights. A lot of training in plyometrics, strength and stamina go behind this sport which has been popular all around the world for many decades now. Weightlifting legends of India like Karnam Malleswari and Mirabai Chanu have won medals for India and have inspired the next generation of Olympic lifters. Jeremy Lalrinnunga, the 17 year old weightlifting wizard is one such example who won a medal for India at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics.

Water Sports

Source: Bleacher Report

Water sports is an umbrella term that comprises of various aquatic sports like synchronized swimming, water polo, sailing, diving and also includes swimming. Swimming being the primarily watched water sport has generated a following all over the world which has resulted in popularity in other water sports as well. India has its own sailing training centers established across the country and this popularity is evident with sports minister Kiren Rijiju emphasizing on the need for better water sport training for better performance of India at the Olympics.