Kosuke Kitajima, the Japanese swimmer who won the Olympic gold medal in the 100m breaststroke this week, claims that he used Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games to help him prepare for the event. Apparently he used it to help him have a look around the swimming venue, as he said to journalists:

"See, Mario does the breaststroke. And thus, it's perfect mental training for envisioning the actual Olympic hall."

Aah, there's nothing the Wii can't do, eh?