Olympics.com Podcast

In 1986, there was a Sports Illustrated cover. In 1987, there was a U.S. national title. In 1988, the world expected to see Kristie Phillips at the Olympic Games. It never happened. The media speculated it was because she had gained weight . Distraught and devastated, she stepped away from the sport for nearly a decade. In the end, Phillips returned to competition, made her peace with the sport, a...

With just 12 months to go until Tokyo 2020, we set ourselves a task. How many interviews can you squeeze into a podcast? The Olympic Channel Podcast went to New York with UCLA gymnast and viral sensation Katelyn Ohashi. In a crazy day, we spoke to Ali Krieger , Ashlyn Harris , Tom Schaar , Brighton Zeuner , Ashima Shiraishi , Alex Johnson , Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson , and Naya Tapper . LINKS: Ka...

It’s officially one year to go until Tokyo 2020. We invited Olympic champion pole vaulter from Greece Katerina Stefanidi on the podcast with her husband and coach Mitchell Krier. We spoke about how they met, why Katerina struggles with self-belief, and her plans for the World Championships in Doha. Plus, we put their dedication to each other to the test with a game about her star sign.  ...

South African swimmer Chad Le Clos is one of the few swimmers to beat Michael Phelps at the Olympics. He took gold in the 200m butterfly in 2012. Chad is determined to be mentioned amongst the greats. Rami Anis has been selected for the Tokyo 2020 Refugee Olympic Team. He escaped war in Syria and always held on tightly to his dream of making the Olympics. LINKS Chad Le Clos Instagram Rami Anis Ins...

Olympic champions Adam Peaty and Katinka Hosszu say becoming a world record holder is all to do with their mental preparation. As we celebrate our 100th episode, we find out what sets apart two of the world’s very best swimmers ahead of the FINA World Championships. LINKS: Adam Peaty Instagram Katinka Hosszu Instagram Ed Knowles Twitter Andrew Binner Twitter Ten of the most motivational episodes o...

Andrea Fuentes has a difficult task. She is hoping to use her experience, as a four-time synchronised swimming Olympic medallist, to qualify an American team to the Olympics. The U.S. hasn’t entered a team since Beijing 2008. The country used to dominate the sport – can they beat the odds and reach Tokyo 2020? “We are doing in five months what others took years to achieve,” said Fuentes. Ahead of...

They are one of Canada’s big medal hopes for the FINA World Championships 2019. The diving pair are big friends in and out of the swimming pool. After two fourth place finishes at Rio 2016, Jennifer Abel needed the help of a new partner to put the ‘dark thoughts’ to one side. Melissa Citrini has made diving more fun for Abel. We talk Olympic goals and karaoke songs with the pair (singing included)...

Breaking legend B-Boy Moy was carrying a pistol to school the day his life changed. He discovered breaking at a talent show. After winning countless awards and contests, he’s now a big advocate for taking the sport to the next level: the Olympic Games. We spoke to Moy Rivas about his devotion to dance, hip hop, and positivity. LINKS: All you need to know about the Breaking World Championships B-Bo...

Women’s skateboarding, the ultra-competitive USA team, and core skating. There’s a lot to talk about as the countdown to the Olympics is officially on for skateboarding with qualification already underway. We caught up with Dashawn Jordan and Jenn Soto to talk gender equality and equal pay in skating. Plus, will we ever see skateboarding at the Paralympics? Oscar Loreto Jr and Aaron Wheelz Fotheri...

We have travelled the world to find the best football stories ahead of the WWC in France. There are two exclusive interviews with senior FIFA officials: Fatma Samoura (Secretary General) and Sarai Bareman (Chief Women’s Football Officer). Plus, we went to Malaga to speak to refugee Ode Fulutudilu about her call up to the South Africa squad. We also took a trip to Orlando, USA, to speak to Jamaican...

His vision became impaired but it meant earning a shot at his dream: representing his country at Tokyo 2020. British judoka Elliot Stewart had given up on following his father’s footsteps to become an Olympian. When he lost his sight, he lost his job and was unsure of his direction in life. Stewart returned to judo, came third at the World Championships, and looks to be a strong candidate for the...

John McAvoy is an Ironman triathlete. The first part of his life was spent in prison or committing serious crime. Now, he’s broken world records in indoor rowing and had top-level meetings with the UK government the UK government. McAvoy vowed to change his ways when his friend died in a car chase. He left behind a criminal life of chasing money to focus on motivating and inspiring people. “If you...

The Norwegian striker is going for her fourth consecutive Champions League title and has broken goal records consistently. The Olympic Channel Podcast found out about why she’s passionate about equality in women’s football, her Ballon d’Or win, and her ambitions with club Olympique Lyonnais. LINKS Ada Hegerberg Instagram Nicklas Vinde Twitter Ed Knowles Twitter

Depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder all disrupted the dreams of American figure skater Gracie Gold. She won two US National titles as a teenager and took an Olympic bronze medal home from Sochi 2014. But in 2017 she withdrew from competition to seek treatment for her mental health. Gracie is now taking a day-by-day approach to recovery as she explains in this honest, open, and raw intervie...

Pita Taufatofua grabbed everyone’s attention when he arrived at Rio 2016’s Opening Ceremony with his bare, coconut-oiled chest. And then he did it again at PyeongChang 2018 in below freezing conditions. From escaping avalanches in Iceland to ending up thousands of dollars in debt, the Tongan took on every problem with a smile. His sporting career started in taekwondo, then he moved to cross countr...

As Alexandra Banfield prepares to represent England at the 2019 ICU World Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida, the Solihull-based athlete explains how she balances an emotional job as a chemotherapy nurse with the rigours of training for a major competition. Plus, we sent influencer Gina Scarangella to London to see how the sport has grown in the country. LINKS Everything you need...

She’s fast. She’s Jamaican. And she’s coached by four-time Olympic medallist Ato Boldon. Briana Williams won the 100m and 200m at the U20 World Championships. Now, she is hoping to reach the 2019 World Championships (‘if her coach knows what he’s doing’ – Ato’s words not ours!) and maybe even Tokyo 2020. We spoke to both about sunglasses, Jamaican beaches, and beating FloJo’s long-standing sprint...

The question on everyone’s lips was ‘Who is Sarah Sellers?’. The American beat the odds to finish second in the 2018 Boston Marathon. The Olympic Channel Podcast spoke to the full-time nurse about what’s changed a year on, her Tokyo 2020 chances, and why she will never pay for a first class flight.  LINKS: The Ultimate Guide to the Boston Marathon Olympians hail "incredible experience" of run...

Coach Brian Orser has some of the best figure skaters in the world training at his famous ‘Cricket Club’ in Toronto, Canada. Two of the newest additions to the team are Evgenia Medvedeva and Jason Brown . “They do have a very special chemistry,” said Orser. “They are from different backgrounds - but they seem to jive really well.” Olympic champion Meryl Davis spoke exclusively to the pair and Bria...

Her phone totally blew up. After being out with friends, US gymnast Katelyn Ohashi came home to 50,000 more followers on social media. We hear the full story behind the ‘Perfect 10’ routine that went viral, her friendship with Simone Biles , and the biggest life lesson from legendary coach Valorie Kondos Field . The Olympic Channel Podcast also spoke to Miss Val about what’s next for American gymn...

The ISU 2019 World Figure Skating Championships in Japan are upon us. Olympic champion figure skater Meryl Davis talks about what it’s like to compete at the top-level and gives her expert opinion on Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan and Evgenia Medvedeva of Russia. Plus, the Olympic Channel Podcast put Meryl on the spot to make some predictions about who will come out on top. Find out how to SUBSCRIBE Meryl...

President of the Women Sports Foundation and top USA bobsleigher gave an in-depth chat about her career, head injuries and women’s issues.  We spoke to her just before the World Championships where, despite being one of the favourites to win, she crashed out and suffered her fifth concussion. It’s not clear if she will retire or continue competing but this outspoken interview is evidence of h...

It’s something to tell your mum about – winning a national championship. But Ramla Ali preferred to keep her boxing career secret. She was a refugee from Somalia who discovered boxing in London’s East End. “My mum… in her eyes to be a good Muslim girl you have to be fully covered. But I think just different things work for different people.” We visited her gym in London to talk family secrets and...

Battling online harassment, body image and busting stereotypes with Madison de Rozario

Kristina Vogel, one of the world’s very best female track cyclists, won her record-breaking 11th title at the 2018 UCI Track Cycling World Championships. Four months later, she was paralysed and in a wheelchair. A junior Dutch cyclist was practising standing starts when Vogel crashed into him at full speed. The double Olympic champion feels no resentment. “I don’t need to forgive (the person becau...