According to research released by UK Sport, track and field topped the poll of sports in which the British public is most eager for sporting success – knocking football off the top of the list for the first time since polling on the topic started in February, 2000.
The research – conducted in the aftermath of the Commonwealth Games in August this year – found that 21 percent of the public would most like to see success in athletics, with football the next most popular sport, with 18 percent.
Swimming was the only other sport to make it into double figures, securing just under 11 percent of the vote, comfortably ahead of tennis in fourth place with 7 percent.
Commented Sir Rodney Walker, chairman of UK Sport: "It is important not to see this research as a popularity contest and so there are no losers. But it is particularly pleasing to see that the fortunes of our Olympic sports are higher up the public agenda than many people may have thought.
"These latest results just go to show the positive impact that hosting the Commonwealth Games had on the British public, and it is clear that if our teams continue to do well in international competition, then the public is willing to reward them with increased support."
The success in hosting the Commonwealth Games has left the UK public hungry for success in track and field events according to a new survey.
