The once-dominant Olympic Games have taken a back seat in the TV ratings race this winter -- often coming up short in head-tohead competition with other shows, and drawing the lowest number of viewers in years.

So, how much Olympics viewing is happening locally?

`` None at all,'' said Jessica Ross, 17, of Attleboro. `` Does that make me a bad person, un-patriotic?''

Ross said she might check the standings online if she happens to glance at flashing clips on MSN's home page, but other than that, watching the Olympics isn't high on her list of priorities.

`` I used to watch when I was younger. It was a big deal, kind of a family thing,'' she said. `` I don't even know what the events are now.'' The Olympics aren't exactly mustsee TV for Jessica Tarball, either.

`` I don't know why, the Olympics just aren't important at all,'' said the 16-year-old Attleboro native, a former gymnast whose participation in the sport ended when she dislocated her knee in middle school.

`` When I was little, I always used to watch figure skating and gymnastics. Now I don't have enough time to watch TV, never mind the Olympics,'' she said.

Tarball isn't the only area resident whose interest in the Olympics has all but evaporated.

`` I don't know. I don't have time, I've been working,'' said Stacey Somers, 18, of Attleboro, a freshman at Bridgewater State College who said she did watch some of the summer Olympics two years ago. `` I'd rather watch the summer (Olympics) than winter I guess.''

Some local residents are tuning in, though, even if they're not exactly glued to the set.

`` Every now and then I'll turn them on, yeah,'' said Dan Johnson, 17, of Attleboro, who said he watches when he has time but isn't interested enough to check standings online. `` I watch hockey and snowboarding, because I snowboard as well.''

Others are even more into the action.

`` I love the skiiers and snowboarders. I don't know how they do it,'' said Edna Fielding, 83, of Attleboro.

Fielding's viewing habits seem to be the reverse of the national trend. `` I think I've watched more (this year) than in the past,'' she said. `` I just became more interested, or maybe the other stuff is no good.''

For Linda Dussault, 57, a bookkeeper from Taunton, if it comes down to a choice between one of her favorite shows and the Olympics, the choice is clear.

`` I'll run upstairs to tape the show I'm missing, if it's really good, then run back downstairs to watch the Olympics,'' she said. `` I've been watching my favorite stuff.''

For Dussault, that includes skiing, speed skating, and figure skating -- men's, women's and couples. Dussault said she makes sure to call her mother, who lives at the Christopher Heights assisted living facility in Attleboro, whenever skating is on.

`` She loves the skating,'' Dussault said. `` If skating is on, I have to watch that because it's only on once every four years.''