This past weekend, I scheduled yard work around the men’s team archery semifinal between the U.S. and South Korea.  Such is the impact of the Olympics on the American populace.  Sports we otherwise could not care less about command our undivided attention.  Equestrian, kayaking, table tennis, fencing, hand ball – we watch it all.  In fact 13% more of us are watching this stuff than did four years ago in Bejing. 

Though many will watch something like synchronized diving or synchronized swimming simply because it is the product being offered (the George Costanza “because it’s on TV” argument), I legitimately enjoy taking in the peripheral competitions.  Maino, on the other hand, he’s been a little more outspoken against the inclusion of the aforementioned in the Games.  Perhaps this photo of the synchronized swim team from Australia will change his mind:

Thanks to listener Jim for sending along this pic with the following text:

“Tell Maino we need MORE synchronized swimming in the Olympics.  In fact, we could use a whole channel just for synchronized swimming.”