One of the singular joys of the Olympics is the opportunity to follow sports, disciplines and events that don't ordinarily capture the public attention or attract media coverage . A pub in south London on Saturday afternoon was filled with regulars happily cheering on the Team GB handball team, despite most present happily admitting they had little idea as to the rules. This is hardly surprising - handball has very limited following and participation in the UK - but didn't stop the pub's punters from keenly following the action.
Guardian readers active on our commenting threads have been expressing similar thoughts.
lancaster43 summed up the appeal thus:
I'm particularly enjoying how quickly my expert armchair punditry has returned on watching sports that I haven't seen for four years.
Tutting sagely as canoeists clatter into the hanging down poles having obviously taken the wrong line, shaking head ruefully at bad set up play or bad blocking in the volleyball, exasperation at the use of the incorrect spin on the serve in the table tennis, laughable long range shooting, instead of working the opening, in the water polo.
And Spacedone posted this on our daily Olympic live blog:
One thing about the Olympics, you find yourself cheering on a sport you've never watched in your life. I'm currently enjoying the Men's Canoe Double. Looks very tricky.
What do you think? Which less familiar sports or events have caught your attention at London 2012 so far? Let us know in the comment box below.
