1.   Climbing, a fringe sport just a few short years ago, is experiencing a boom in America and Europe.

2.   Pessimists see the technical gaffes, the insipid commentary, the reliance on figure skating while underestimating our interest in fringe sports.

3.   Volleyball and surfing are fringe sports and they go through cycles.

4.   If nothing else, the Pan Ams offer one of the few chances officials of the fringe sports have to lobby IOC members.