By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The eyes of the sports world have been focused on London for about the past two weeks as the best athletes from across the globe compete in the 30th games of the modern Olympics.

Many of the big story lines have come from either the swimming pool, where Michael Phelps made history last week by becoming the most decorated Olympian ever, or the gymnastics arena, where the American men’s and women’s teams have suffered highs and lows in competition.

Although the headlines have been big from those sports, it does not top the interest that many in the River Parishes for the play on the soccer field. Nearly 80 percent of those who voted in L’Observateur’s online poll said the soccer play is the top sport that catches their eye. The Gymnastics finished in a distant second with about 12 percent. Track and field, which got started over the weekend, finished third in the poll with about 4 percent.

A complete breakdown follows:

• 12 percent of respondents chose, “gymnastics.”

• 3 percent of respondents said, “swimming and diving.”

• 4 percent of respondents chose, “track and field.”

• 3 percent of respondents chose, “basketball.”

• 78 percent of respondents chose, “soccer.”

• 1 percent of respondents chose, “other.”