During the first 11 days of the Games, viewing is down by four per cent amongst teenagers on figures for the 2004 Athens Games despite the introduction of sports such as BMX and increased internet coverage. Amongst 2 to 11 year olds, audiences remain roughly equal with Athens.
Surprisingly, gymnastics, which in 2004 gave teenage girls 16 per cent higher ratings, has not been such a magnet for girls. Instead the trend has been reversed with teenage boys watching 10 per cent more coverage and interest amongst 2-11 year old boys up 12 per cent.
Overall, however, viewing amongst children aged 2-11 is down by 45 per cent on Barcelona in 1992 and by 50 per cent teenagers.
